796 lines
32 KiB
Plaintext
796 lines
32 KiB
Plaintext
Newsgroups: alt.magic,alt.answers,news.answers
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Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hookup!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!amiserv!vpnet!mike
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From: mike@vpnet.chi.il.us (Mike Kamlet)
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Subject: alt.magic FAQ part 1/4
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Message-ID: <faq1_762384418@vpnet.chi.il.us>
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Followup-To: alt.magic
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Sender: mike@vpnet.chi.il.us (michael kamlet)
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Supersedes: <faq1_758782602@vpnet.chi.il.us>
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Reply-To: mike@vpnet.chi.il.us
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Organization: Vpnet - Your FREE link to the Internet! (708)833-8126
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Date: Sun, 27 Feb 1994 21:27:17 GMT
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Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu
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Lines: 780
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Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu alt.magic:3702 alt.answers:1966 news.answers:15719
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Archive-name: magic-faq/part1
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Last-modified: Feb. 20, 1994
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Frequently asked questions in alt.magic/part1 (of 4)
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Last modified: Feb. 20, 1994
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Please send suggested corrections and additions to: mike@vpnet.chi.il.us
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WHAT'S NEW/MODIFED
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This is a new section that list what's new in the FAQ this month....
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1) Address corrections for magicians on the net
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2) Dealer updates : Quality Props (England), Davenports (England),
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International Magic (England), Repro Magic (England),
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Magic by Post (England), John Brownbak (USA),
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Carrandi (USA), O'Dowd Conjusring (USA)
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======================================================
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Topics:
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Part 1
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I. GUIDELINES/ETIQUETTE FOR POSTING
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II. MAGICIANS WHO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS GROUP
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III. MAGICAL EVENTS
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IV. MAGIC ORGANIZATIONS
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Part 2
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V. BOOKS ON MAGIC
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Part 3
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VI. OTHER MAGIC REFERENCES
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VI-A. MAGAZINES
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VI-B. VIDEOS
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Part 4
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VII. LIST OF DEALERS
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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I. GUIDELINES/ETIQUETTE FOR POSTING
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Q) What is the purpose of this group?
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A) This group is for the discussion of magic as entertainment, including
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but not limited to close-up, sleight of hand, platform, stage, and
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illusion magic. For discussions of pagan, occult, and spiritual magic
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try alt.magick (note the "k"), alt.paranormal, alt.divination, or
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alt.pagan.
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Q) Why not alt.conjuring, alt.prestidigitation, or alt.magic.tricks?
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A) Because escape artists are magicians who don't partake in "conjuring".
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Illusionists don't partake in prestidigitation (sleight of hand). And
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many magicians (myself inluded) don't like to refer to magic as tricks
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or trickery because of the negative connotation that you are out to
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"get" the audience. The emphasis should be on entertainment, not merely
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a puzzle, etc. (From: presto@bach.udel.edu (Jason Y Nocks))
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Q) What topics should -not- be discussed in this group?
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A) Since this is a public forum some of us would prefer not to openly
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discuss the secrets behind the workings of magical effects. The
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following are some of the reasons given to support this policy:
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1) You ruin the illusion for others.
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2) Magic as an art only exists when the performance appears impossible.
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Focusing on "how it is done" reduces the art to a puzzle.
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3) Magic as an art exists to entertain. To allow an audience to focus
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on the performance and not the gimmick is the ENTIRE REASON for the
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performance. The curiosity you feel when you're fooled by magic is
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part of the entertainment. When the curiosity is removed, so is some
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of the entertainment.
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4) Although the public thinks it wants to know what we are doing they
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are disappointed when they find out.
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5) Some folks count on the elements of surprise and subtlety in their
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techniques to feed their kids and pay rent.
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6) The secrets are not yours to give. The creators of certain effects
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have typically written books or produced effects in order to 'stake
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their claim' and to be compensated for their work.
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I don't believe there is a 'public-domain' section.
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Q) What topics should be discussed in this group?
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A) All the other aspects of magic. For example,
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1) Magic as entertainment
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1a) Showmanship
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1b) Delivery
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1c) Presentation
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1d) Philosophy
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2) The performance of magic
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2a) Embarrassing moments and how to handle them
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2b) Views on borrowing/imitating
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2c) Putting together a show
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3) Magic performances
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3a) Upcomming
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3b) Performances you may have seen
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4) Favorite effects
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5) Magicians
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5a) Favorite magicians
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5b) Yourself and your performances
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6) Where to learn more
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6a) People willing to teach
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6b) Books, tapes, magazines, clubs
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6c) Magic dealers
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7) Magic as a business
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7a) Booking
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7b) How to advertise
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7c) Openings
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Q) What other sources are available on-line to find out more about magic?
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A1) Some of the subscribers to this list are willing to further discuss
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magic via e-mail. See section II of this FAQ.
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A2) Bruce Barnett maintains a magic mailing list as a place magicians can
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freely exchange information without the public listening in.
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You must fill out an application similar to an IBM/SAM membership
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for in order to be accepted to the list. This list is only for
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magicians.
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Send mail to magic-request@maillist.crd.ge.com for more details.
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If that doesn't work, try the following in order...
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magic-request@crdras.ge.com
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barnett@crd.ge.com ( last resort :-)
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A3) Jeff Isozaki (jti01@duts.ccc.amdahl.com) posts a monthly list of "Magic
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in Movies" indicating movies, actors, and scenes in which magic
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appears. Jeff posts this list to alt.magic on or around the first
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business day of the month.
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A4) Mofo, Penn & Teller's BBS. If you try to call the old NY number (the
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one in the Cruel Tricks book) you won't be able to get in. They've
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moved the bbs to Delphi Systems (a Compuserve/Prodigy/etc type system).
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To subscribe to Delphi, dial 1-800-695-4002, hit enter twice and type
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the password, mofo. I'm not sure of the cost.
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A5) Don Martin (martin@biostat.washington.edu) has begun assembling a list
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of mystery stories where the detective or a major character is a
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magician.
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A6) Russ Sage (rsage@magic.taligent.com) has begun assembling a list of
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stage hypnosis performers.
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Q) Is there a possibility this news group could be altered in some way so
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that people wouldn't accidently keep posting things that belong in
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alt.magicK?
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A) It is easiest to just ignore these articles. Many newsreaders have a
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feature called a "kill-file" which will mark articles containing certain
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patterns as having been read or delete the article. Here are the
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patterns for some newsreaders. Check with your local documentation of
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system administrator for more information.
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News reader: Kill-file pattern:
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------------ -----------------
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rn /magick/h:j
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gnus (gnus-kill "xref" "magick")
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Q) Hasn't it been proven that most of magicK is actually magic?
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A) Many magicians have become involved in debunking charlatans who claim to
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have supernatural powers, most notably Houdini and more recently The
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Amazing Randi.
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Magicians can duplicate almost any miracle. There is a branch of magic
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that has blossomed in the last 20 years that uses occult science as a
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theme. Some of the material is strong enough to start a new religion.
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Here is one effect that gives you an example....
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It is an occult alter. A young novice wearing a robe steps up to the
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magi. Several occult steps are performed. After building up to a climax,
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the magi takes a ceremonial dagger and raises it high in the air. He
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quickly plunges the dagger down, and the novice screams. The robe then
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falls to the floor, empty. The novice has vanished. If you were at a
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coven meeting and saw this, you would certainly be affected.
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Smaller/simpler miracles are much easier - of course. When someone
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describes a paranormal event, a magician knows how trivial it is to fool
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someone. Of course he/she is skeptical.
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(Example from: Bruce Barnett <barnett@crd.ge.com> uunet!crdgw1!barnett)
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See also alt.skeptic.
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Q) Whatever happened to ...
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A) Doug Henning From: Bernie Cosell cosell@world.std.com
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From promotional material for Maharishi Veda Land, a theme park
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planned for construction in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The park,
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which is the creation of magician Doug Henning "under the
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guidande of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi," is expected to open by
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1996. A press release states that the $1.5 billion park, on
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1,400 acres, will "combine enlightenment, knowledge, and
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entertainment."
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The Maharishi Veda Land Theme Park --- "The Pride of Canada" --- will
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bring enlightenment to visitors as they experience higher states of
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consciousness. Each of the park's attractions will expand visitors'
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appreciation of their own infinite potential. They will experience reality
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and illusion, immortality and change, unity in diversity, infinity within
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a point, and the universe within the self.
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There will be thirty-three original rides and shows, including:
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* Magic Flying Chariot Ride --- Take a ride deep inside the molecular
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structure of a rose.
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* Corridor of Time --- Fly down through history from the beginning of
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of creation to the end of the universe.
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* Courtyard of Illusion --- See the world's only levitating building,
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which floats fifteen feet above water, and discover that there is
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more to reality than your sense can perceive.
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* Veda Vision --- Experience a spectacular vision of the totality of
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life as images appear in midair.
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* Seven Steps to Enlightenment --- Feel enlightened as you visit seven
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wondrous pavilions radiating out like the spokes of a wheel. Your
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path has been carefully designed to lead you, in an entertaining
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way, step-by-step to enlightenment.
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---From the August issue of Harper's
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In the recent Canadian federal elections (October 1993)
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Doug Henning ran for parliament as a member of the
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"Natural Law Party". Doug Henning, is Senior Vice-President
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of the Natural Law Party and ran in Rosedale, Ontario.
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[From Natural Law Party literature.]
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"Dr. Doug Henning, 46, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
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Before high school he moved to Oakville, Ontario. Later,
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he studied at McMaster University in nearby Hamilton
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[Ontario], where he graduated with an Honours B.Sc. in
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physiological psychology. Dr. Henning received his
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doctoral degree in the Science of Creative Intelligence
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from Maharishi European Research University, Switzerland.
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In his 20 years of performing,
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Dr. Henning has created and starred in eight prime-time NBC/CBC
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television specials that have been seen world wide. ..."
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Henning did not win the seat in the October 1993 election.
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Q) Can experienced magicians give some tips on how to read a magic catalog?
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How can we spot tricks that are over advertised?
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A) It's amazing what people will say for money. The trouble is that you'll
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find a lot of misleading but correct ads in a strict legal way. Look
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for reviews of the items before you buy. Go and watch a demo, and then,
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if the demo looked wonderful, you need to have someone tell you whether
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this can be done by someone at your skill level.
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Suggested questions: Do you really need this item? Is it useful in more
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than one way? Or is it limited to the effect described? Will it gain in
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value over the years? Is it a limited edition? Will it help you in
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your act? Do you plan to USE it?
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Q) Do you believe that it is detrimental to the art of magic to post
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"insider" information pertaining to the methods used to achieve a
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magical effect?
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A) POLLING RESULTS: compiled by Hans Masing.(HCM100@PSUVM.psu.edu)
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There were 48 responses within the allotted polling time. 35 were
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magicians, 13 were laypersons.
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The average age of magicians in the poll is 32.2 (mean of 26). The
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typical layperson is 31.7 (mean of 27).
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For magicians, the average experience is 12.9 years, however there were
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a few outliers with more than 30 years that skewed the results.
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Eliminating these outliers, the average experience drops to 2 years.
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*****
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Of the 35 magicians who responded, 46% of you say that methods should
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not be revealed, 43% say that they should, and 11% are undecided.
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Not surprisingly, of the 13 laypeople who responded, 33% said that it is
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detrimental, 54% said it is not detrimental, with 13% undecided.
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*****
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Remarks AGAINST revealing secrets:
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**Layperson, age 44:
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"It is one thing to be the artist or the craftsperson discussing the
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skills needed, it is another to be the layperson intent on taking the
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illusion away. ANYONE can access this newsgroup. So even though I
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would enjoy reading the secrets of the craft and might even attempt to
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execute one, I know that there are other resources for that. This
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newsgroup is like a cafe - public and private at the same time. I
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wouldn't expect a real magician to be demonstrating the "how it's done"
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in a cafe."
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*****
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Remarks FOR revealing secrets:
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**"Easy" magician, age 20, "12 or so" years experience:
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"Information is not just for people who can afford it. The main reason
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I haven't been able to go from half-magician to magician is because I
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cannot afford to. This would be a great forum to help young (and broke)
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half-magicians"
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**Close-up magician, age 29, 2 years experience:
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"An adult, through common sense realizes that a coin cannot be pulled
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from a persons ear without being palmed. They know it's being palmed.
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As a result, the art is to present the illusion in such a way that they
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don't see the palming."
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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II. MAGICIANS WHO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS GROUP
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Q) WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE, ANYWAYS? What magicians subscribe to this group,
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what is their status, i.e. illusionist, pocket-magic, and what is their
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level of expertise i.e. professional, beginner.
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A) Interestingly enough, there is a very wide readership on ALT.MAGIC. The
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majority are from North America, but there are many of you from Europe
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and Australia, and even a few readers from the Orient. Below are
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biographies of some of the readers. If you would like to be included
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here please drop a note to mike@vpnet.chi.il.us along with a brief
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biography . Unlike other material in the FAQ, this is not lifted from
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the postings, but rather, based on e-mail submissions because I consider
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this of a personal nature. Please contribute.
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******
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From: Paul Nielsen <nielsen@eecs.umich.edu>
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First a shameless plug about myself:
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I've been interested in magic since I was 9. I am a performer and
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collector with previous experience as a demonstrator, teacher, and manager
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in a magic shop. Working in a magic shop gave me exposure to a broad range
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of experience with effects I otherwise would not have been able to afford
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and gave constant practice. I've performed for large audiences (over 5,000
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people), on local television, and at fairs. I build and refinish many of
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my own props including small illusions. Currently, I don't perform as much
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as I used to, since a PhD in computer science pays better, but I like to
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remain active and support other's efforts.
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Paul Nielsen
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(nielsen@eecs.umich.edu)
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*****
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To contact Penn & Teller: mragaisi@nyx.cs.du.edu (Maggie Ragaisis)
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will forward any questions or comments you might have directly to Penn.
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If you would like to send e-mail to Penn and Teller and don't want to go
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through Maggie , you no longer need to. Just send messages to:
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mofo@delphi.com
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Colin Summers, their personal hacker, will make sure the messages get to
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them. At least now you don't have to subscribe to Delphi to get mail to
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them. However, the Mofo (P&T fan club BBS) is there, and if you're
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interested in that, you'll still have to join Delphi.
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or to join the Pen & Teller fan club :
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Send $6.00 to:
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MOFO
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P.O. Box 1196
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New York, NY 10185
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This pretty much gets you a "lifetime" of the P&T newsletters. They're
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generally pretty nutty. Definitely for people who are die-hard Penn and
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Teller fans.
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*****
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From: Shaene M. Steinauer <dulcinea@cwis.unomaha.edu>
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I'm a half-magician with most of my experience in close-up magic for small
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groups of friends or kids. I'd be willing to discuss any type of magic;
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however, my knowledge is limited.
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My e-mail address is below.
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Thanks for listening.
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--Dulcinea
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(Shaene M. Steinauer)
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(dulcinea@cwis.unomaha.edu)
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*****
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Name: Steve Silverman <silverman@kelvin.Jpl.Nasa.Gov>
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City: Los Angeles
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Bio: Professional level magician. Regular member, Magic Castle, Hollywood.
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Enjoy mostly close-up but have performed stand-up comedy magic and silent
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stage manips. No illusions. Worked clubs, restaurants, private parties
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in the So. Cal area and performed close-up at the Magic Castle. Living in
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Los Anegeles area provides me with the fortunate opportunity to hang out at
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the Magic Castle and to have become acquainted with and share ideas with the
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likes of Larry Jennings, Martin A. Nash, Bruce Cervon, Darryl, John Carney
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just to name a few. I even had the pleasure of being yelled at by Dai
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Vernon (15 years ago) as he watched me learn how to execute a top palm. He
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predictably urged me to read Erdanse. I strongly urge any magicians
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visiting the Los Angeles area to arrange to visit the Magic Castle either by
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calling ahead of time or contacting a member.
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*****
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Name: Stephen "PH" Buxton <mei141@cch.coventry.ac.uk>
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STATUS: Final year student in Aerospace Systems Engineering.
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HOW LONG INTERESTED IN MAGIC: I went through a phase of magic when I was
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eight, but lost it till about a year ago. Have become very serious since
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then, even to the point when I am now considering becoming a professional
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table hopper.
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MAGICAL INTERESTS: I used to only use gimmicks, but I have now decided that
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it is more "magical" to rely on skill and sleight of hand. I perform mainly
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close up magic. I don't do much in the way of coins and cards, although
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I do a couple of card routines, like card warp and tipsy cards, and I have
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my own version of coins across, using ungimmicked coins.
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I also do a lot of elastic band tricks, which for those of you who
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do not do them yet, I would seriously recommend you start.
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I also perform a chop cup effect, and I am working on incorporating
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it into a sponge ball routine.
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HINTS FOR BEGINNERS: Practice. Practice some more. When you are perfect
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at a trick, practice it again. Show your trick to a friend as a trial run
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through, to spot where the problems are. Then practice again.
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*****
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From: Jason Y Nocks <presto@chopin.udel.edu>
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A Senior Electrical Engineering major at the U. of Delaware, Jason
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has performed two full-scale stage productions in addition to countless
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shows in a parlor magic surrounding. Specializing in escapes, Jason also
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loves to read about and discuss the psychology behind the magic.
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--
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| presto@brahms.udel.edu | A senior E.E. at the U of D with a side order
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| presto@freezer.cns.udel.edu | of stage and close-up magic. The views
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| nocks@snow-white.ee.udel.edu | expressed are exclusively my own (etc).
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*****
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From: gold@ucscb.UCSC.EDU (William Maloney)
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I am a student at University of California, Santa Cruz. I started
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performing card magic three years ago and perform only for friends/
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relatives.
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I have been reading alt.magic for about a month and a half now (Feb 93),
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and have found the discussions enlightening and entertaining.
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Bill
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*****
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From: hes@unity.ncsu.edu
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Henry Schaffer
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amateur, 15 year IBM member
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closeup, mostly rope magic
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have judged stage magic contests at several IBM International Conventions
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--henry
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*****
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Name: Hans C. Masing (Sleight of Hans)
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EMail: HCM100@PSUVM.PSU.EDU (For about 95% of the year)
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|
Main interest: Sleight of Hand Magic, close-up work.
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|
I have been performing magic professionally for about 3.5 years. I had a
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great teacher, and started working just six months after I learned my first
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sleight. I feel that my strongest ability isn't in the technical side of
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magic, it's in the ability to capture an audience and entertain them! I'm
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|
a clown by nature, so it's easy for me to pick up and go in front of an
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audience.
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Favorite magicians: Penn & Teller, simply for their irreverent attitude.
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Close second would have to be Dave Williamson, who is probably in a tie
|
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with Daryl Martinez.
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Current interest: I am concentrating hard and long on my ability with
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coins.
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Most requested effect: Vacuum Packed by John Bannon. I am CONSTANTLY being
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asked to perform this coin-in-bottle routine. If you don't know it, check
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it out. It's in his Smoke and Mirrors book. It's simple, and with a few
|
|
modifications in the handling, repeatable! :-)
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Where I want to be in 10 years: Either doing research in Artificial
|
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Intelligence or performing magic full time. Either way, I'll be happy.
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Best piece of advice: Forget the technical side of magic. If you truly
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|
want to understand the ART of magic, you need to get into the mind of the
|
|
audience. Some of my most popular material has been blatantly stolen from
|
|
childrens magic books you can find in the library. But properly presented,
|
|
even the lame tricks can dazzle and entertain. The art of magic is the art
|
|
misdirection, not the art of tricks or sleights. The typical layperson
|
|
(readers of alt.magic excluded!!) doesn't give a rat's behind about how
|
|
difficult a certain move is or whether you know 45 different coin
|
|
acquitments, they want to see something that they haven't seen before and
|
|
something that they will talk about during the drive home. Concentrate on
|
|
the basics. (1) Entertainment, (2) consistency of performance levels, and
|
|
(3) naturalness of your sleights.
|
|
|
|
*****
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|
From: jillm@netcom.com
|
|
Name: Jill "GIGGLES" Marci
|
|
Professional Entertainer, I perform under the register servicemark of
|
|
"Giggles The Magical Clown"
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|
Will correspond with people interested in performing for children, on
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television, at fairs, etc. Anyone wanting a copy of my book (The Art of
|
|
Clowning), or wanting to hire me for a lecture etc.
|
|
You can contact me at: P.O. Box 2519, Santa Clara, CA 95055-2519
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|
|
*****
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|
|
|
From: Bruno.Degiovanni@CSELT.STET.IT
|
|
My name is Bruno Degiovanni (bruno.degiovanni@cselt.stet.IT) and I'm an
|
|
Italian close-up fanatic. I'm VERY happy to find out a way of exchanging
|
|
ideas, suggestions or simply book references in order to improve my
|
|
technique. I'm an electronic engineer with a 15 years experience in
|
|
close-up magic. I'm member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians
|
|
(just another IBM!) and my favourite routines are with cards and coins.
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|
|
|
*****
|
|
|
|
From: ronnb@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu
|
|
Status: Very good amateur
|
|
Style: Close up and platform - manipulation, juggling, comedy
|
|
Been doing the magic 'thing' for 19 yrs - currently use it to keep
|
|
a roomful of engineers or 2nd level managers from dozing off during
|
|
those particularly technical talks...
|
|
Ronn Brashear
|
|
|
|
******
|
|
|
|
From: msibbern@nyx.cs.du.edu (Michael Sibbernsen)
|
|
Michael Sibbernsen, Age 24
|
|
Kearney, NE
|
|
Email address- (msibbern@nyx.cs.du.edu)
|
|
|
|
I have been into magic since I was about 9, learning mostly by reading
|
|
library books and watching Omaha area magicians, like Denny Rourke and
|
|
Peter the Near Great. At 12 I started performing for family and friends
|
|
and at age 16 started professionally. I have been a member of the SAM for
|
|
the past 8 years. My particular specialty of magic is Cabaret, although I
|
|
also do allot of close-up, and have performed some stage. After taking a
|
|
four year hiatus from stock bookings (I only performed a half dozen times)
|
|
I went to the University of Nebraska at Kearney to get my B.S. in Physics.
|
|
For the last year I have worked for the physics department as a lecture
|
|
demonstrations specialist, and assistant planetarium and observatory
|
|
director. I have also started up my magic once again and enjoy inventing
|
|
and building my own apparatus, one for expense reasons, and two, to add an
|
|
aire of originality. I would be happy to correspond to both professionals
|
|
and those just starting out, to exchange ideas and advice. My other
|
|
interests besides Magic include, Astronomy,, Photography, Electronics,
|
|
Computers, Star Trek, Comics, and Scuba Diving. So many interests, so
|
|
little money.
|
|
*****
|
|
From: mike@vpnet.chi.il.us
|
|
Mike Kamlet
|
|
|
|
Member of several different clubs in the Chicago area (IBM/SAM and a few others)
|
|
Currently secretary IBM ring 43. I've been interested in magic since age 8, but
|
|
I have recently renewed my interest.
|
|
I prefer stuff without gimmicky-looking objects and routines built around a
|
|
charming story...
|
|
|
|
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|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
III. MAGICAL EVENTS
|
|
|
|
Send your list of ongoing magical events including: brief description,
|
|
location, cost, and admission requirements to mike@vpnet.chi.il.us
|
|
Contributors:
|
|
cragaisi@nyx.cs.du.edu (Chris)
|
|
jti01@duts.ccc.amdahl.com (Jeff Isozaki)
|
|
nielsen@eecs.umich.edu (Paul Nielsen)
|
|
Scott Flanagan <FLANAGA@ricevm1.rice.edu>
|
|
|
|
Upcomming events which merit separate postings.
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
Clubs for magic:
|
|
|
|
Comedy and Magic
|
|
Hermosa Beach, CA
|
|
Does this place still exist? Do they still perform magic?
|
|
|
|
El Duco's Magic, HB
|
|
Lergoeksgatan 18
|
|
S-215 79 MALMOE
|
|
Sweden
|
|
+46-40-214592
|
|
+46-40-217228 (fax)
|
|
|
|
Fork's Hotel
|
|
Buffalo, NY
|
|
|
|
Illusions
|
|
Keystone, Indiana (Just North of Indianapolis)
|
|
(317) 575-8312
|
|
11/93 -- Last time I spoke with Mike Close he indicated that he isn't really
|
|
working there any more and that Illusions is cutting back on magic -- call
|
|
before you go... Mike Kamlet
|
|
|
|
Magic Castle
|
|
Hollywood, CA
|
|
This is a members only magic club. Probably the best place to watch magic
|
|
since they have 3 different magic venues, large stage platform and
|
|
close-up.
|
|
The Magic Castle is a membership systemed night club. If you are not
|
|
a member, you have to have a guest card or go to there with a member.
|
|
There are some rules on the back of the guest card.
|
|
1. Absolutely no one under 21 admitted. Proof of age required.
|
|
2. Strict dress code. Coats and ties for men, dresses for ladies.
|
|
No casual wear. (No jeans.)
|
|
3. This card is non-transferable, good for one visit only and must
|
|
be surrendered at the door. Expired cards not accepted.
|
|
4. Guests must have dinner and make reservations well in advance
|
|
(1 week recommended.) There is an entrance charge of $?????
|
|
for each guest in addition to the dinner price. For reservations
|
|
call 851-3313 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday thru
|
|
Saturday. Please notify the Castle if you plan to cancel.
|
|
5. This card honored for dinner Sunday night thru Thursday only
|
|
by advance reservation. Shows follow dinner and are open to
|
|
all guests. This card not honored on Friday and Saturday.
|
|
If you go there with a member, you can go on any day of the week
|
|
and you don't have to have a dinner, you don't have to pay the
|
|
entrance charge.
|
|
(213) 851-3313
|
|
|
|
Magic Island
|
|
Houston, TX
|
|
(713) 526-2442
|
|
We went with a coupon for about $25 per person. That included dinner, a
|
|
live stage show with two acts, and two close up shows. Without the coupon,
|
|
prices vary, depending on what you order. $50 per person is probably a
|
|
reasonable minimum estimate, but they may have gone up. The food was good,
|
|
and the entertainment ranged from fair to excellent.
|
|
|
|
Mississippi Live
|
|
Minneapolis Night Club
|
|
They have magicians Wed-Sat nights.
|
|
|
|
Reuben's
|
|
For some magic talk at 38th and Madison in Manhattan.
|
|
Check it out on Saturday afternoon.
|
|
Straight out of Woody Allen's "Broadway Danny Rose"!
|
|
|
|
Tower ??
|
|
This is the place in Colorado owned by singer John Denver.
|
|
Doc Eason tends bar and performs magic.
|
|
|
|
Tom Foolery
|
|
Tom Mullica's place. This is closed now.
|
|
|
|
Thurston's
|
|
Buffalo, NY
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
Theatre:
|
|
|
|
Altered Reality
|
|
National Improvisational Theater
|
|
New York, NY
|
|
|
|
Le Grande David and His Own Spectacular Magic Company
|
|
Cabot St. Theater
|
|
Beverly, MA
|
|
(508) 927-3677
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
In Atlantic City:
|
|
|
|
Trop World
|
|
Bunny Collins, Brooks Comer, Bully Damion, Dale Vargus
|
|
|
|
Trump Castle
|
|
R.J. Lewis, Carl Ash Marn Ann Calkins, Arian Black
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
In the Bahamas:
|
|
|
|
Carnival's Crystal Palace
|
|
Dick Arthur
|
|
Nassau
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
In Las Vegas:
|
|
|
|
The Las Vegas magicians' round table is held on Wednesday nights. You
|
|
never know who will show up in the land of magic. All magi are welcome.
|
|
Just give a call to any of the shops when you're there and they'll fill you
|
|
in.
|
|
|
|
There are alot of magic shows in Las Vegas. Some of the shows are:
|
|
"Alakazam" - ?????
|
|
"City Lites" with Joseph - Flamingo Hilton
|
|
"Elaine's Restaurant" with Mike Skinner - Golden Nugget
|
|
"Jubilee" with Bob Arno and Hans Panter - Ballys
|
|
"Roman Festival" with Jordan Hahn and David Kesterson - Caesars
|
|
"Spellbound" with Joaquin Ayala & Lilia, Tim Kole & Jenny Lynn, Mark
|
|
"Splash" with Shimada - Riviera
|
|
Connie Boyd - Tropicana
|
|
Geno Munari - San Remo
|
|
Kevin Barnes, Teresa Liu, and Joe White - Excalibur
|
|
Kirby Van Vurch - Dunes
|
|
Lance Burton - Hacienda
|
|
Melinda - Lady Luck
|
|
Siegfried and Roy - Mirage
|
|
Vince Carmen and Phyllis Guggenheim - Circus Circus
|
|
Plus many others
|
|
|
|
Lance Burton's show at the Hacienda:
|
|
Burton's show was a treat. It was reasonably priced (about $23.00
|
|
including tax) and well thought out. The music was appropriate. Lance is
|
|
personable, and can be funny. I think he spent too much time trying to
|
|
establish himself as a "serious conjurer." His smile is contagious, and
|
|
he's pretty quick on his feet with one liner responses to audience
|
|
comments. There's not a bad seat in the house, either. The room is
|
|
_small_. The only thing that I din't like about the show was the time he
|
|
spent plugging the items he would have for sale in the lobby after the
|
|
show. I found that sleezy. He did a number of transpositions, levitations
|
|
(including a dream sequence that could approach hardcore R bordering on X
|
|
rating - but more on that later), and a great bit with an audiance member
|
|
on stage. Lance was the arms and the volunteer was the body. The
|
|
productions were a lot of fun that way!
|
|
|
|
I was going to mention the show rating bit. I found this out after I went,
|
|
but it seems that if you catch the 8:00 show it's the family version. The
|
|
11:00 show has nudity. (Too bad I din't find out earlier!) The girls
|
|
_weren't_ the solid gold dancers (they _did_ have a dance number) but quite
|
|
easy on the eyes, and they added to the routines rather than being just
|
|
something sexy to look at.
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
From: silverman@kelvin.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (Steve Silverman)
|
|
|
|
Michael Skinner at the Golden Nugget.
|
|
He is the resident magician and strolls between Lily Langtree's and
|
|
Stefanos restaurant. Michael has been reffered to as one of the
|
|
worlds finest close-up performers by some very notable people. I
|
|
was fortunate enough to have dinner with him during my last visit
|
|
and must say that he is also a very nice person and real gentleman.
|
|
----
|
|
From: Andy Latto <andyl@harlequin.com>
|
|
|
|
A very entertaining show, and an amazingly good value for
|
|
the money (only about $10). Some of the effects were old
|
|
chestnuts, like chopping off an audence member's head with a
|
|
guillotine, but there were some very nice illusions, and some
|
|
good slight of hand with birds. In addition to the magic, there
|
|
are two very good specialty acts: Anthony Gatto, one of the two or
|
|
three best jugglers in the world, and a group that plays basketball
|
|
and jumps rope on unicycles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In Reno:
|
|
|
|
"Spellbound" starring The Pendragons
|
|
|
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
IV. MAGIC ORGANIZATIONS
|
|
|
|
The following organizations exist to promote magic and further its
|
|
development. Each produces a magazine and sponsors local club meetings.
|
|
|
|
International Brotherhood of Magicians
|
|
P.O. Box 192090
|
|
St. Louis, MO 63119
|
|
(314) 351-7677
|
|
(314) 353-4771 (fax)
|
|
|
|
Society of American Magicians
|
|
Richard Blowers, National Administrator
|
|
P.O. Box 510260
|
|
St. Lousis MO 63151
|
|
(314) 846-5659
|
|
|
|
|
|
\\ //
|
|
\\// ___________________________
|
|
/00\ (____(________________(____()
|
|
\></
|
|
__/__\__
|
|
<________> ________
|
|
| | / \
|
|
| | | A |
|
|
\____/ | S /\ |
|
|
| / \ |
|
|
| ( ) |
|
|
| )__( |
|
|
| |
|
|
\________/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
Mike Kamlet
|
|
mike@vpnet.chi.il.us
|
|
|