 | |
| Abbreviation | BAM |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1946 |
| Type | Not-for-profit society |
| Website | http://www.bam.net.nz |
The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc (BAM) is a New Zealand-based non-for-profit organisation and magic club. It was founded in 1946. [1] [2]
| | |
| Abbreviation | BAM |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1946 |
| Type | Not-for-profit society |
| Website | http://www.bam.net.nz |
The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc (BAM) is a New Zealand-based non-for-profit organisation and magic club. It was founded in 1946. [1] [2]
The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians (BAM) was founded in July 1946 [3] in Grey Lynn, Auckland and was incorporated in 1979. The first president was John Mitchell. [4]
Aims and objectives of the organisation as outlined in the constitution are to promote goodwill, mutual respect and cooperation amongst active performing magicians; to instil respect and loyalty for the personal inventions, specialties and routines of fellow magicians and to enhance professionalism in all areas of the business of magic.
The club presents an annual theatre show called the Magic Moments Family Comedy Magic Show and a charity show in October to celebrate international Houdini Day. These shows also support local charitable organisations.
Patron of the BAM is New Zealand show business journalist David Hartnell MNZM. The position was previously held by international magic superstar Paul Daniels.
Awarded for the top twelve minute performance, The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Cup has been competed for at national New Zealand magicians' conventions since 1956.
Published in 2021 to coincide with the anniversary year, the 210 page book Seventy-Five Years of Magical Excellence by magic historian Bernard Reid chronicles the entire history of the organisation. This combined the two previous works The First Twenty-Five Years by Ned Kelly and The Second Twenty-Five Years by Stanley Goudge along with new text from Bernard Reid to bring the narrative up to date. [5]
The Grand Master of Magic Award is a lifetime achievement award presented by the BAM on behalf of the magicians of New Zealand. It was first awarded in 1969 and to date it has been awarded on nineteen occasions. [6] [7] [8]
Several notable international touring magicians attended BAM functions and were made honorary members of the society. These include John Calvert, Dai Vernon, Dick & Diana Zimmerman, Maurice Rooklyn, Virgil, Max Andrews, Vince Carmen and Edgar Benyon. [9]
William Lance Burton is an American stage magician. He performed more than 15,000 shows in Las Vegas for over 5,000,000 people until retiring after 31 years in 2010.
Tony Slydini, simply known as Slydini, was a world-renowned magician. His mastery, expertise, originality and innovative approach to close-up artistry magic, earned him a legendary reputation in the magic world. He traveled the world performing for the public as well as performing and lecturing fellow magicians. As a result, he served as an inspiration to generations of well-known magicians, celebrities and entertainers, including Doug Henning, Dick Cavett, Bill Bixby, Ricky Jay, David Copperfield and countless others. Although he was best known as a master of close-up artistry, he continually demonstrated an extraordinary performing ability and during his lifetime was responsible for a long series of books, films and publications highlighting his mastery of the magical crafts. For his work, he received the highest honors that his profession could bestow, including both the coveted Masters Fellowship Award and Performing Fellowship Award from the Academy of Magical Arts. During his lifetime, Tony Slydini was inducted into the Society of American Magicians Hall of Fame as a Living Legend.
Greg Frewin is a Canadian illusionist and "World Champion of Magic". His awards include First Place at the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM); The Gold Medal of Excellence, also from the IBM; First Place at the Society of American Magicians' annual magic convention competition; and first place at FISM, the "Olympics of Magic", which were held in Yokohama, Japan in 1994.
A magic convention is a gathering of professional magicians, magical hobbyists, dealers, collectors of magical apparatus, books and ephemera, and other students of the art of magic. It provides a place for lectures of subjects related to the craft, as well as a series of sample performances of noted or innovative techniques. Many conventions also hold competitions to judge who excels at a particular style, and present awards in various categories such as sleight of hand, card tricks, mentalism, and stage illusions. The largest magic convention is The Blackpool Magician's Convention which is attended by over 3,500 magicians.
Johnny Ace Palmer is an American close-up magician. He is famous within the worldwide magical community for his prodigious sleight-of-hand abilities.
Brian Rolè is an active international Maltese magician and illusionist. He was born on Malta's sister island Gozo in 1972 and became a full-time professional magician in 2000. Currently Brian is one of the most popular magicians in Malta due to his regular grand scale illusion shows and various television appearances. Usually he performs with his partner Lola Palmer under the stage name The Palmers. He is a full member of The Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of Magicians as well as the Malta Magician's Society IBM Ring 202 the International Society of Magicians and most recently in 2020 the Society of American Magicians.
Debbie Leifer was named 2006 Greater Atlanta Magician Of The Year by the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society Of American Magicians Atlanta chapters. Debbie is the first female corporate magician to receive that honor in the 35-year history of the prestigious award.
David Berglas is a British magician and mentalist of German-Jewish descent. His secret technique of locating a particular card within a pack has been described as the Holy Grail of card magic. He was one of the first magicians to appear on UK television.
Alan Scott Watson is a professional magician living and performing in Auckland, New Zealand. He has been performing professionally for more than 30 years and has been presented with some of magic's highest awards and accolades.
A magic club is any group of local magicians who meet regularly. A club can be open to all with an interest in magic or it may be only possible to join by invite or by meeting some sort of notability criteria. Some clubs may specialize in types of magic, or be primarily youth oriented.
Murray and Teresa Hatfield are magicians from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, having lived there since 2006. Murray Hatfield has performed as a solo performer in Germany, Israel, Cyprus, Mexico, North Pole and Japan. Teresa joined Murray in 1992 as a dancer and by 1995 had become his partner on stage. Together they have toured and performed in New Zealand, Australia, China, Singapore, United Kingdom and throughout North America.
Edgar Wilson Benyon was a New Zealand magician, juggler and entertainer. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 29 March 1901.
The Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Inc (VAC) is a non-for-profit organisation and show business club. It was founded in 1966 and became an incorporated society in 1972. The VAC was formed to promote goodwill within the New Zealand entertainment industry and foster a spirit of loyalty, friendship and cooperation between members. Each year the VAC presents a number of New Zealand entertainment awards including the prestigious Benny Award.
The Grand Master of Magic Award is a lifetime achievement award presented by the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Incorporated on behalf of the magicians of New Zealand. It was first awarded in 1969 and to date it has been awarded on twenty occasions.
The Benny Award is bestowed on a New Zealand variety entertainer. It is presented annually by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, a non-for-profit organisation and showbusiness club, founded in 1966 and awarded to a variety performer who has achieved "A lifetime of excellence in their field of the performing arts".
Richard Webster is an author, ghostwriter, mentalist, hypnotist and magician.
John Nicholls Booth was an American professional magician and prolific author on the history of magic performance. He was recognized for his work, and is also known for having the longest running membership in the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
Mick Peck is a professional award-winning magician based in Auckland, New Zealand.
Arthur Trace is an American magician.
Performing arts in New Zealand include amateur and professional presentations of theatre, circus, dance and music where it accompanies live performance. Aotearoa New Zealand has an active contemporary performing arts culture; many people participate in performing arts activities and most people live near an arts centre or theatre building.