Magic Christmas Wishes

Wishing all my friends and blog readers a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2015!!!

BACK TO SCHOOL:

I have just returned home this evening from performing at one of Australia's most prestigious private schools "Kinross Wolaroi School" in Orange. The school is Pre Preps (preschool age) to year 12 with beautiful facilities! The staff and students made me feel very welcome!

A GREAT NIGHT AT STARDUST CIRCUS

I had a great night at Stardust Circus. Congratulations to all the talented performers on a great fast paced program with plenty of variety! They are at Raymond Terrace from 12th - 16th and then moving to Cessnock where they will be from 19th - 23rd November. If you get a chance I recommend you go and see the show!!

I'M SO PROUD!!!

GUESS WHAT EVERYONE!?

My youngest brother PATRICK HOWLETT just WON the Maitland Newcastle Catholic School’s Public Speaking Competition!

I had the pleasure of being able to attend the finals today and enjoyed listening to him give both an “impromptu” and “prepared” speech in an articulate and relaxed manor.

 

 

 

MAGIC, MUSIC and WONDER:

It was such a thrill to be in Sydney last night and see my friend Jay Scott Berry perform live. In my opinion Jay is one of the best magicians in the world - with a slow and relaxed style he makes balls, silks, ribbons and coins appear, disappear and change colour in his bare hands!

Thanks so much Jay for such an enjoyable night of magic!!

 

A TRIP BACK IN TIME:

I had a wonderful morning looking through my new friend Michael Ridley's collection of circus posters, programs and memorabilia. It is a wonderful collection and a real treat to see...........

THERES NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS:

I had the pleasure of seeing the St Mary's High School "Showcase Night" this evening! Congratulations to all the talented students and teachers who made the night possible.
I'm particularly proud to say that Monica Howlett and Deadra  did an outstanding job of the song "Stay with me" :)

THE NEW MAGIC VAN:

At last the sign writing on my new van is completed! I'm very happy with it :)

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT!

Believe it or not a MAGICIAN won America's Got Talent!
His name is Matt Franco. He's performances are on "youtube" and he is a real talent!

Believe it or not I just realised that I have met him in person and even worked with him! In 2003 I was a guest performer in the STARS OF TOMORROW show in Las Vegas. Matt was one of the performers! He was in his early teens and did a card manipulation act!

I am so thrilled to hear of his success so many years later :)

 

A GREAT NEW WEBSITE:

Mentalists will be interested in a new website by Jim McKeague - "Documents Concerning Marie-Anne Lenormand: The True History of a Fortune-Teller."  Old records, many translated from 19th century French originals, reveal how the famous prophetess predicted Napoleon's divorce two years in advance, and how the High Court of Justiciary in Edinburgh, Scotland, caught her out and exposed some of her audacious and illegal business methods.  Read these documents at

http://jimmckeague.wordpress.com

Lenormand was a mentalist before the word was coined, and made a fortune in her lifetime.

 

PRESCHOOL FEEDBACK:

From time to time I visit preschools. I find performing for 3 - 5 year olds to be great fun and very rewarding. I just found this lovely email in my inbox! Thanks so much for your kind feedback Nicole:

“Joel thanks so much for once again entertaining the children with your wonderful show. I am always thrilled to hear the laughter from the children (and the staff) when they are watching you perform.
The reason  we continue to book you for numerous shows each year is because you manage to entertain in such a way that the children feel connected to the show.
Thanks for always being reliable, professional and such a great resource for us to use to meet our Early Years Learning Framework.
Thanks from all the staff and children and we cant wait to have you back next term.”

Nicole Denzin
Director Mayfield Central Community Preschool

RIP Robin Williams

DINNER SHOW SPECTACULAR!

I'm happy to report that this evenings dinner show went smoothly. A big THANK YOU to all who came to see the show, the venue and the talented cast of performers!

TIME TO UPDATE THE MAGIC VAN:

Since 2006 I have been driving a yellow magic van! On Thursday I am updating it for a brand new "Volkswagen Caddy". The new car will be bright Orange - I don't like to be noticed

I will post a photo of the new van once the signwriting has been added to it.

TWITTER:

Just letting you know I have now set up a "twitter" account. I'm testing its effectiveness for business. If you wish to "follow" me on there I'm "Joel Howlett".

Have a magical day,

Joel

A Post For Fellow Magicians :

Just letting my magicians and magic enthusiasts  know that my friend Jim Mc Keague's book "The Best 200 Tricks With A Svengali Deck" is now available at library.com as an ebook.

The book is encyclopaedic in scope, with notes on... making, handling, pitching, and performing in a variety of situations.

Contents
•Handling the Svengali Deck
•Pitching the Svengali Deck
•About the Tricks
•Impromptu
•Almost Impromptu
•Multi-Method Classics
•Novelty Revelations
•Things going wrong, and sucker effects
•Apparatus Required
•Special Decks
•Publicity, Promotion, Spectacle
•Using sleights and moves
•Miscellaneous
•The Last Word

Here is the link:

http://www.lybrary.com/the-best-200-tricks-with-a-svengali-deck-p-493035.html

JUGGLING WORKSHOPS:

From time to time I run “Juggling Workshops”. These have been known to take place in Schools and High Schools as part of PE / Sport lessons and I have also run them at corporate events for adults as a “Team Building” exercise.

 

The workshop runs for 1 hour and is very interactive. I provide enough materials for 30 participants per session.

 

Apart from being a lot of fun I am learning that there a great many benefits (particularly for school students) to learning how to juggle! In addition to being fun and entertaining, learning to juggle is actually healthy for the mind and body. The challenge of juggling improves eye-hand coordination, motor skills, and physical fitness for both children and adults.

Research has shown that there is a direct relationship between the hand-eye

coordination learned through juggling and the ability to read, write, and reason.

If you’re interested in having a “Juggling Workshop” at your School (or child’s school), Camp, Retreat, Rewards Day or Event you can contact me on 49423593 or email jdandfriends@dodo.com.au

PUBLICITY:

I have just seen the great publicity that appeared in the April edition of "Local Life" - Port Stephens Magazine.

A full page article and photo!

Time for an update!

I have received a few comments lately about how "old" my Youtube promotional clip is! Some of the footage was taken 8 years ago when I was still at school!

It was really time to post something new on youtube so this evening I posted a collection of photos from some of the different programs I offer, along with some testimonials from past customers!

  Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2_n4WpgCOY

MY BIGGEST AND MOST SPECTACULAR SHOW YET!

I’m rather excited to let you know about an upcoming show.

As some of you may know I have been performing regular school holiday Children’s shows at Salas Function Centre Warners Bay! I’m so happy to announce that this venue has booked me to present my full evening show on the 9^th August! It really is special to be working with a venue that encourages and believes in live entertainment.

The show will be a 90 min Las Vegas style magic spectacular. The production includes beautiful show girls, grand illusions, live doves and audience participation pieces. You also get a delicious two course dinner!

Due to the huge amount of work in preparing for and presenting this particular program it will not be repeated again in 2014, so be sure to book your tickets quickly to avoid missing out. This is simply the only show of its kind and scale to be presented in the Lake Macquarie area!

I'm honoured to be working closely with a very talented and supportive team including:

-          Miss Gabrielle Church: Gabrielle is a true artist. She brings confidence and class to the stage. She is Joel’s main onstage assistant, trained in aerobics and has appeared in the sell out theatre show “Hocus- Pocus”.

 

-          Reagan Williams: Is the show’s Choreographer. Reagan has performed on all the major cruise liners, has been a choreographer for the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” and is currently working full time as a professional dance teacher.

 

DETAILS AND PRICE:

Two course dinner & show $58 p/p.

Limited $30 show only tickets also available.

Book now (02) 4954 6136

 

 

 

LOVED LENNONS

Just got back home from seeing this evenings performance of Lennon Brothers Circus at Gosford.

The show was fantastic!

It was exactly what a circus should be - A great combination of Clowning, Aerial Acts, Juggling, Trapeze and beautiful animals including horses, dogs, camels, lions, lamas, donkeys and a monkey!
Be sure to go and see them when they are in your area http://www.lennonbroscircus.com.au/

A big thank you and congratulations to Cheryl Lennon and her team for such a wonderful program!

EL CIRCO RUGE

Tonight I attended "El Circo Ruge" at Wests Leagues Club.
I enjoyed the program and the meal.

The show was a unique combination of circus, burlesque, and comedy. Much to my surprise and delight the program even included a magic act.

A very enjoyable night and very well supported (I believe it was a sell out!).

BEEN TO MOSCOW:

Last night I went to see "The Great Moscow Circus". Their program included: Russian Bar, Trampoline, Russian Swing, Silks, Miniature Horses, Quick Changes, Knife Throwing and the Globe Of Death.
The show will be in Newcastle until the 21st April and then in Cessnock and Swansea. For details visit: www.moscowcircus.com.au

Have a great weekend!

Joel

PS: Don't forget that Lennon Brothers are also showing during the School Holidays at Gosford Leagues Club field! They have a wonderful show and its well worth the trip to Gosford to see them. Here are the details: www.lennonbroscircus.com.au

I'M REMEMBERING MICHAEL JACKSON TODAY:

I'm off to see "History 2" at the Civic Theatre tonight! It's the Kenny Wizz tribute to Michael Jackson. I'm really looking forward to it!

Here are a couple of songs that he did that are not as well known as "Billy Jean" or "Thriller" yet I think they are still amazing:

- "Hold My Hand" with Michael and Akon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML0gbplNHks


- "Cry"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj3MfUR35CM

An Afternoon Of Comedy!

Yesterday afternoon I had the pleasure of attending the Maitland Comedy Club event at Patterson Tavern. It was a fun afternoon and FREE to attend! Be sure to give the "Maitland Comedy Club" facebook page a "like" to keep updated on their future events!

 

 

 

 

Signs

Here are a collection of Signs I saw in a gift shop in Melbourne:

MAGIC IN MELBOURNE:

Tomorrow morning I'm off to Melbourne and will be home Wednesday night. While in Melbourne I will be performing at a Corporate Cocktails function, doing two days of spruiking at an Expo and giving a "lecture" for the local magicians. Looking forward to a fun but hectic few days! I feel very happy and grateful to have been given yet another great opportunity.

A Serious Night Of Comedy!

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the "Class Clowns" comedy show. There were 5 young performers (in years 9 - 11) who each performed a 5 min set. The night was hosted by professional comedian Susie Youssef. The best ...performer of the night HARRY LOVELL (who came all the way from Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange!) who has received an invitation to the NSW young comedian's state final as a result of last night's fantastic performance!

THIS YEAR'S CLOSE UP SHOW - GREAT FUN!!

I'm pleased to report that this years one man show "An Evening Of Close Up Magic" went smoothly this evening! We had a really nice crowd and it was a thrill to receive a standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance!

FOR MAGICIAN FRIENDS:

Jim Mc Keague has added another page titled "Translating Melton" to his wonderful Indian Rope Trick website. Those interested in Magic history should take a look:

http://theindianropetrick.com/translating-melton-2/

MORE BOOKS!

I have just had a second lot of my book printed. They are still only $5.00 and include 12 Amazing (yet easy to do!) card tricks.

MY MAGICAL 24TH BIRTHDAY GIFT!

Just opened a birthday present from my dear old magician friend Jim McKeague. It was a framed collection of behind the scenes photos from the day I presented the Indian Rope Trick with the Tree Roo climbing the rope. Such a wonderful gift! If you would like to learn more about the Indian Rope Trick and my unique performance of it, please visit : http://theindianropetrick.com/

CIRCUS WORKSHOPS JANUARY 2014

CIRCUS WORKSHOPS

It's been a fun week of "Circus Workshops" at Stockland Green Hills. Myself, Monica Howlett and Llynda Nairn (www.ladyjuggler.com.au) have been teaching juggling, spinning plates, feather balancing and hula hoops to excited young (and some not so young!) customers.

I feel very lucky to have worked with Llynda as she is a true professional who inspires children, adults and fellow performers!

Tomorrow is the very last day of the workshop , 11 am - 2pm.

THE ILLUSIONISTS 2.0

 I saw "The Illusionists 2.0" this afternoon in Sydney. In my opinion Raymond Crowe's hand shadow act stole the show! Another highlight was seeing FISM winner Yu Ho Jin.

For more information on the show please visit:...

http://theillusionists2.sydneyoperahouse.com/

To see a YouTube clip of Yu Ho Jin visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fehzpbFc5wg

STARDUST CIRCUS:

If you find yourself visiting Forster during the school holiday break be sure to see Stardust Circus. It's great fun for children of all ages! I attended todays performance and enjoyed it very much!

www.stardustcircus.com.au

Don't Forget Webers Circus is also showing during the School Holiday Break at Gosford and Raymond Terrace:

www.weberscircus.com

If you would like to learn some circus skills why not come along to the Free Circus Workshops at Stockland Green Hills:

http://shoppingcentres.stockland.com.au/shopping-centres/stockland-green-hills/offers-and-events/events/kids/circus-workshop