Number 239 - 22nd January 2005

 

Details of the British Magical Championships, which will be held at the Opera House during the Blackpool Convention on Saturday 26th February, have just been released. The invited competitors are: Stuart Brown, Dain Cordean, Dazzling Darren, Alec Powell, Mark Shortland, Vizage, Viva, Shane, Alex Lodge and Robert Blake from Belgium. With guest artistes Bernie Clifton and Mr Blub and Dania. The Convention is still attracting a record number of registrants and only 150 seats remain for the Gala Show! The two vast dealer halls will play host to 104 magic dealers from all over the world and the expected total attendance this year is 3,500 from 20 different countries; a new record. The Blackpool Magicians Convention is now listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest. www.blackpoolmagic.com. 22.1.05

 

The Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Competition approaches - the deadline for entries is January 31st and heats will be held on April 3rd. Open to all magicians aged between 14 and 17 the competition has helped launch many a professional over the years. Entry forms and rules are available from Michael Colley, email magicm@pmhcpath.demon.co.uk - hurry! 22.1.05

 

Save money on The Circus Space Cabaret in the London International Mime Festival (Thursday 27th - Sun 30th January at 8pm). "A great night out" was the verdict of The Stage in a recent Circus Space Cabaret review, and their recommendation for January's Circus Space Cabaret is to "make plans now for a great night out." Seats at tables are now £16 (£12 concessions), and seats in rows are now £14 (£10 concessions). Box Office 020 7729 9522. Hosted by the superb Tim Bat, the line up includes sensational Vietnamese acrobats Duo Dinh Anh, top diabolist Donald Grant (replacing Molly Saudek who can't perform due to injury), elegant club jugglers lukaluka, Washington Trapeze from Damien Gaumet and Mathilde Sebald, Circus Space graduate Merlin Borg on Chinese Pole, The Wrong Size promenading and the jaw-dropping cradle act of Duo Vertigo. www.thecircusspace.co.uk for details. 22.1.05

 

Gadget Magic are now advertising with MagicWeek. Set up in 2003 by award winning magician Richard Griffin, the business specialises in offering magic gimmicks and accessories at competitive prices. If you can't find what you're looking for on their site then they are happy to try and find it for you, simply email sales@gadgetmagic.com and ask. Visit www.gadgetmagic.com today!. 22.1.05

 

Secrets of Magic. "A one-off special which sees a team of magicians from all over the UK conjuring up incredible illusions before revealing how the magic was done. With Nick Knowles." Radio Times. 6.50pm on Saturday 22nd January on BBC 1. TV Magic. 22.1.05

 

The Associated Wizards of the South Annual Dinner will be held on Friday, February 4th (7.30pm for 8pm) at the Holiday Inn, Cartwright Drive, Titchfield, Hampshire PO14 4SE (Map). The Magic Circle's President Alan Shaxon is the evening's special guest and will also perform in cabaret. International close-up magicians entertain at the tables. Dress is "smart casual" and tickets are £22.50 each from Jayan Pillai, 335 Southampton Road, Titchfield, Hampshire PO14 4AX. Telephone 01329 846656 (evenings), 02380 341 962 (office), or from Mike Pinder, 6 Hamble Close, Warsash, Hampshire SO31 9GT, telephone 01489 573210. Cheques should be made payable to 'The Associated Wizards of the South' (enclose an SAE). 22.1.05

 

Loki has been invited to compete at the 50th Magicians' Convention of Austria/2nd SAM European Magic Convention in Eisenstadt from 26th to 29th May: www.zaubertheater.mra.at and can be seen closer to home on Sky's new series Undercover Magic which starts on Friday, 28th January. John Archer and Marc Paul join Loki on The Paul Ross Radio Show on LBC Radio between 12 and 12.30pm next Saturday, 29th January, to talk about the series. See TV Magic. 22.1.05

 

Percy Naldrett and Edward George Brown. From March 2005 Paul Gordon will present a new magic talk about two great names in magic, Percy Naldrett (1888-1973) and Edward George Brown (1893-1947). Both men were leading lights of The Magic Circle and Paul is just finishing work on two limited edition books. The Brown book contains rare magic and contributions from Daryl, Wes James and Peter Duffie, and both feature photos, memorabilia and biographical information. Visit www.paulgordon.net for more information. 22.1.05

 

"In February 2002 Dan and Dave (the Buck Twins) set out to create a 'magic DVD that would rule them all.' The catch was that this DVD would have no magic. Nearly two years later The Dan and Dave System is finally released. Are you ready for it?" Anyone who has seen these guys live will know just how amazing their work really is, visit: www.magicshop.co.uk. 22.1.05

 

Scott Pepper and Oliver Tabor present Amaze & Amuse at The Barn in Southend on Friday, February 11th. Tickets are free but during the interval they'll be taking a collection to raise money for the Tsunami Appeal. For more information telephone Scott Pepper on 07980 253372 or Oliver Tabor on 07900 543384. 22.1.05

 

From Gerry Luff: "It is with great sadness that I must inform readers of MagicWeek that David Grist, the popular and internationally famous balloon modeller, suffered a fatal heart attack on Saturday morning. He will be greatly missed, particularly by his wife Vanessa and daughters, Rachel and Victoria. The world has lost a great talent. A Book of Condolences has been set up at www.davidgrist.com." 22.1.05

 

At the recent Manchester Circle of Magicians Annual General Meeting the following officers were elected. President: Philip Partridge, President Elect: Phil Tilston, Secretary: Derek Lever, Assistant Secretary: Anne Lever, Welfare Officer: Geoff Berry, Magic Times Editor: Walter De Ruyter, Junior Section Organiser: Don George, Fund Raising Officer: Jason Duckworth, Video Librarian: Geoff Berry, Treasurer: Phil Tilston, Hon. Life President: Derek Lever, Hon. Life Vice Presidents: Walter De Ruyter, Peter Woolley. After the meeting 125 members enjoyed a five dealer demonstration by Albion Magic, Classic Magic (Harry Robson), Peter Diamond Magic (Brian Berry), Andrew Normansell and Master of Mystery (Adrian Sullivan). The programme for the next six months features five international lecturers and the membership fee is still just £10.00 per year. More information from www.taurusmagic.net. 22.1.05

 

Merlins of Wakefield are now UK agents for Tora Magic Company. "Tora Magic Company has been designing and making magic products for more than eighteen years. Know the world over for their high quality products the company is run by Hossein Aminipour, an experienced magician. Merlins are proud to be working with such a professional and dedicated magic company and will introduce new items to the UK market throughout 2005." To see the product range visit: www.toramagic.com. If you would like more information and prices contact Merlins of Wakefield on 01924 339933 email merlins@btconnect.com. 22.1.05

 

Chester Guild of Magicians present their annual dinner on Friday, February 11th. For details email David Brandwood (secretary), david.brandwood@clara.co.uk. 22.1.05

 

Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells Vol.2 - I'd forgotten just how good this CD was until I popped it into the player just now whilst putting MagicWeek together. Arguably even better than the seminal Tubular Bells (skip a few tracks towards the end though). Available from MagicWeek in association with Amazon.co.uk... nice! Click Here Magician David Hawkins is currently being featured as "Gadgeteer of the Month" on US website www.the-gadgeteer.com • BBC's Dick and Dom Strike back, Click Here • Johnny Garcia performs cutting edge card tricks at Cobbleheads, Click Here • Illusions for Edward Norton, Click Here • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed, have a magic week, Duncan. 22.1.05

 

Back

 

© www.magicweek.co.uk