HENNING HONOR STIRS CONTROVERSY IN MAGIC COMMUNITY

As I have been reporting since June, Magician Doug Henning has received a well deserved honor by being inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.  Sources that were in attendance on Saturday when the tribute show to be broadcast as a part of this was filmed have told me that several members of his former stage crew were in attendance.  For the Henning segment, a three minute piece was played which included an introduction by David Copperfield and footage from his television specials. 

According to a new article from the Toronto Star which I posted yesterday: Doug Henning, the Canadian magician and international performer who died 10 years ago, was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame on the weekend, yet no one from the family attended the event. His widow wasn’t there, nor were his two sisters. They say they weren’t invited to the tribute.

Doug's sister Nancy is quoted saying that " she was contacted by the Walk of Fame a few months ago, but only to ask if she would agree to have her phone number given out to the media. One person called. Nancy said she later tried phoning and emailing Walk of Fame officials to find more information, but couldn’t get through."

I have called the Walk of Fame offices several times since the initial announcement and have received the following information from Peter Soumalias, their President and CEO.

“We made numerous attempts to contact Mrs. Henning but were unsuccessful in reaching her. We had hoped that through the extensive media exposure accrued on behalf of Canada's Walk of Fame, Mrs. Henning would have approached the organization, and we would have welcomed her involvement. Naturally, we would have been very pleased to have had Mrs. Henning on hand at the tribute ceremony in honour of her late husband, Doug Henning.  We would definitely appreciate it if Mrs. Henning would agree to be on hand and involved in any way she chooses when we install Mr. Henning’s star on Canada's Walk of Fame." 

In September, both Nancy and Debbie were interviewed by the Star regarding the upcoming tribute.

In that article, Debby said: “I'm honoured that Dougie is recognized for the legend he truly is — a legend not only in magic, but in the field of conscience exploration research. He's the pride of Canada and the pride of his family. I only wish he could have received it when he was alive.”

No matter the reason for their absence, it is a shame that they were not in attendance for the presentation of this well deserved honor and I hope to see them in attendance at the actual Star installation when that occurs. 

I have a call out to get a statement from Doug's sister and will update this story accordingly.

SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR CAMERON RAMSAY

Magic Newsire podcast co-host Cameron Ramsay is auditioning for the Rhode Show Search for a Star at Twin River Casino! Please cast your vote for Cameron, by watching the audition video all the way to the end! If you enjoy the Magic Newswire podcast, please do it! You know that you want to!

DERREN BROWN ON BEING HONEST ABOUT HIS DISHONESTY

Photograph: GuardianIn a great interview from the Guardian, Derren Brown talks about trickery and mind games, keeping an audience entertained and his new book "Confessions of a Conjuror."  Derren also takes a hard look at himself, his personality and his evolution as a performer. 

By Brown's own account, before he became famous he used to be an awful show-off. "In my 20s, I just had to be the centre of attention all the time. I was quite eccentric." The son of a swimming coach and a model, and an only child until the age of nine, he describes his childhood self as rather precocious, but not very good at fitting into the sporty private school he attended in Croydon. Largely ostracised by his peers, he became, of all things, a teenage evangelical Christian, and it wasn't until university in Bristol that he discovered a personality of sorts, through learning hypnotism.

"I thought it was fascinating, and I enjoyed the attention I was getting – and yes, the power. And the posturing of it, I quite enjoyed being that guy. Then after that my drive and focus and love shifted to magic; the love was in coming up with new tricks and perfecting them. But I had no ambition, really; my life was doing nothing, maybe a couple of magic gigs a week at most, and then just pottering around in Bristol. I had no sense of 'Gotta work hard to be famous.' Never have done, and still don't."

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE HERE

Derren was also interviewed by BBC Radio 4. In case you missed it,  listen below:

NOVEMBER ISSUES OF MAGICOL & GENII

As you come out of your weekend and into a new week of magic, there are some new magic publications winging your way via mail carriers the world over!

MAGICOL #176 :  

This issue is dedicated to fact-finding, research enthusiasts. No. 176  - showcasing Frederick Bancroft on the cover – features articles relating to “Finding Your Man”, a theme carried over from the 41st MCW. Contributors share their journeys into the past and how they discovered more about their magicians of choice from yesteryear.

As they detail their detective work, they also tip ideas, tools and strategies – both modern and traditional – on locating a treasure trove of information. Articles include:

• The Journey to Find Frederick Bancroft by Gary Hunt
• The Road to Research and Beyond by Diego Domingo
• Dating Germain by Dustin Stinett

Also, we have included a behind-the-scenes look of the Elmhurt Museum’s Magical History Tour, courtesy of Neil Tobin, one of the organizers.  Neil outlines how the exhibition came to be and some of the gems to be found inside.

 There is a  summary of the 41st MCW, followed by a thought-provoking book review by Clay Shevlin.  Clay reviews Beating a Dead Horse but from a collector’s perspective.

SUBSCRIBE TO MAGICOL NOW IF YOU AREN'T ALREADY DOING SO!

GENII : NOVEMBER 2010

The November Issue of Genni is also on its way featuring an article by Dustin Stinnett, "Inside the Mind of Juan Tamriz" and the "Magic of Juan Tamariz" by Stephen Minch.  

In addition, Jim Steinmeyer contributes an article on Hardeen, interviews by Eugene Burger.

Tricks are reviewed by David Regal.

Videos reviewed by Dustin Stinnett.

Books reviewed by Jamy Ian Swiss and much much more!

Subscribe now to GENII here!

HENNING JOINS WALK OF FAME TOMORROW

As I first reported in June, Doug Henning is being inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame this year. David Ben recently updated the story on his blog.  Doug’s star will be unveiled tomorrow, Saturday, October 16th and the broadcast of the ceremonies and celebration will take place on October 20th on CTV.

David Ben writes:

Doug Henning changed my life.  It was while watching his first network television special, broadcast live-live, meaning in real time and not on a tape delay, that I said to myself: “I want to become a magician.”  The year was 1975 and I was fourteen years old.  

Now, some thirty-five years later, I have had the chance to repay Doug the favour.  Doug Henning will receive his “star” this weekend on the Canadian Walk of Fame and I have been working behind the scenes for the past several months on the tribute to Doug that will be broadcast to the nation.  

THIS WEEK IN MAGIC :: JAY & GUASTAFERRO

On this episode of This Week in Magic, Cameron Ramsay and I are joined by guests Joshua Jay and John Guastaferro. We discuss the relevence of playing cards in magic and society, the fascination that younger magicians have with unusual decks, John's new book "One Degree" and much more!

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SENDING MORE WONDER

I had a blast helping Jamie D Grant with this summer's "Send Wonder" campaign during which I placed bottle #79 in his limited edition series. Jamie has started a new one with his standard "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE" Bottles and above is the video of the first one being placed in Paris. CLICK HERE for more details.

PAUL GERTNER'S TEN FINGERS

While most of Paul's performances are for private corporate audiences, Paul Gertner will present "Ten Fingers"  at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio on October 15th & 16th. Gertner will give a close-up magic show, Ten Fingers, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Ten Fingers is designed for adults and children age 10 and older. Gertner will also present a show aimed at children younger than 10 at 2 p.m. Sunday. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All performances will be in the museums Beecher Center auditorium.  A camera will be trained on Gertner that will show close-ups of his sleight-of-hand on a large overhead screen.

COHEN RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR FROM THE NATIONAL ARTS CLUB

Magic Newswire friend and previous podcast guest Steve Cohen was recently presented with the first ever Medal of Honor for Magic by the National Arts Club. 

Of this presentation, Jonathan Bayme in the T11 bulletin says: "The society has never before provided an artistic award to a magician. That changed tonight, with an elegant, formal reception and dinner to present Steve Cohen with their annual award. I was honored to join Steve tonight as he received the award, and the entire event was an evening I will not soon forget."

Congratulations Steve!

Watch Dick Cavett's introduction of Steve at the event:

FRANZ HARARY FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

On May 27, 2010, Franz Harary (and his wife, Akiko Harary) filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Case Number 2:10-BK-31587-TD). The case is still pending.  In the bankruptcy petition, Mr. Harary made the following disclosures:

Total assets: $667,410

Total liabilities: $940,313.73

Current monthly income: $3,674

Current monthly expenses: $8,998

Interesting assets include: 6 rabbits, 2 lizards, 1 snake (total value of pets is $750); total cash on hand $660; home in Los Angeles worth $580,000

Interesting liabilities include: $73,122+ in credit card balances on at least 8 different accounts

Interesting source of income: "Gifts from Father-in-Law"

This information comes from the bankruptcy petion which is a part of pubic record and can be viewed in PDF format HERE