Number 286 - 17th December 2005

 

Uri Geller Explains the Unexplained. Afterlife, Most Haunted, Positive Thinking, The Mind, Healing, Motivation, UFO's, Stop Smoking, The 11:11 Phenomenon... Looks like he's got the lot covered in this live stage presentation that goes on tour in 2006. Suitable for all the family - you're invited to bring along a broken watch and a few spoons. Click What's On for dates and see this master showman live on stage in 2006. 17.12.05

 

Hollywood's Academy of Magical Arts have announced their Fellowship Honorees for 2005, presentations will be made in April 2006, and include the 2005 Magician of the Year to Criss Angel, a Special Fellowship to Rich Block, a Literary Fellowship to David Britland, a Creative Fellowship to Eberhard Riese, Performing Fellowships to Flip and Bobby Baxter, the Lifetime Achievement Fellowship to Martin Gardner and the 2005 Masters Fellowship to Paul Daniels. 17.12.05

 

Wayne Dobson heads the lineup at next year's West Lancs. Magic Convention run by the Ace Magic Circle. The day will feature ten magic dealers and the West Lancs. Stage Magician of the Year Competition. More artistes to be announced shortly. Date: Sunday, April 23rd 2006 10am - 11pm. Venue: St. Mary's Parochial Club, Trent Road, Billinge near Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7QT (Map). For competition entry details, dealer stand details, and to book in advance contact Roy Critchley on 07901 990 220, email steelemagicinc@aol.com. Before March 31st: £8 Adult, £4 Junior. After, or on the day: £10 adult, £5 junior. Wayne's latest DVD, Wayne Dobson Unclamped - Live in London is now available: www.waynedobson.co.uk. 17.12.05

 

I Am Anagram, Saturday 17th December 2pm - 4pm. Devised by Aura Satz under the guidance of neuroscientists Prof. Chris Frith and Prof. Jonathan Cole, in collaboration with illusionist Scott Penrose. "I Am Anagram is an interactive performative sculpture, a complex kaleidoscopic mirror box of sorts, which audience members are guided through, and into, one by one. I am Anagram draws inspiration from neuroscientific experiments done with mirror-boxes and people missing limbs, which suggest that creating a coherent body-image through visual illusion can alleviate phantom limb pain. In traditional conjuring mirrors and visual illusions are used in the often sadistic fragmentation of the body, but they can also be used to opposite effect, that is, to recreate integrity where there is loss. I Am Anagram addresses these bodily arithmetics of subtraction and multiplication/compensation. I Am Anagram collapses the divide between magician, assistant and spectator, and conjures sensory ghosts, expanding the notion of phantom limb to that of phantom body." Venue: De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN40 1DP. Admission Free www.dlwp.com. 17.12.05

 

Merlin's Secret. "Written and directed by Tim Heath in conjunction with magical advisor Doctor Bondini, Merlin’s Secret is a play which fully integrates ground-breaking new illusions into an exciting version of the tale of King Arthur. This fully staged, beautiful production will be totally unique and can be enjoyed as a play which includes music, dance and magic. The famed Bondini doves will feature, of course." Today, Saturday 17th at the OFS Studio Theatre, Oxford. 3pm matinee, 7pm evening. Box office: 01865 297170 or via www.getlive.co.uk/ofs. 17.12.05

 

Peter Wardell and Professor Richard Wiseman recently filmed a piece on the psychology of magic for The Discovery Channel (Canada) which is now online for broadband users, Click Here. Peter's new CrowdPuller DVD is currently featured in Magic DVDs. 17.12.05

 

The Order of the Magi President's Night has increased in popularity over recent years with the current President Peter Moran playing host to nearly 90 members and guests (last Tuesday evening). Chris Stevenson compered the cabaret that featured a levitating Nick Barnes, vocalist Lesley Davies and bill topper Leslie Melville (photo). As the society nears its Centenary new projects are in the pipeline - readers are invited to keep in touch via www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. 17.12.05

 

Chris Dugdale was delighted to be invited to perform at the United Nations in New York, for a second time, on December 2nd. Kofi Annan was the guest of honour and Chris described this moment "as one of the defining points in my career." In a busy week Chris flew to New York, London, Amsterdam, Baltimore and back to New York. www.chrisdugdale.com. 17.12.05

 

Manchester Circle of Magicians Christmas Party report: "The evening was a resounding success with 150 members snapping up all available tickets. Honoured guests were the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Salford along with British Ring President Mark Raffles. Mark was taken completely by surprise when President Philip Partridge presented him with the very first Manchester Circle of Magicians Lifetime Achievement Award. This will now be presented annually. Joan Raffles received a bouquet of flowers and Derek Lever received a bottle of 20 year old whiskey in recognition of his work for Manchester Circle. After members enjoyed a Fun Casino they were treated to a superb cabaret by young juggler Zyllan, Rick Green and Partner with doves and illusions, the immaculate manipulations of Brian Sefton and the crazy magic and comedy of Derek Lever. Compere Arthur Casson was superb with songs, comedy and keyboards. Anne Lever organised the event." Manchester Circle hold their Jumbo Auction on Tuesday 31st January, 2006. Contact Derek Lever on 01253 810113 deriko@webaplomb.com. 17.12.05

 

From RDF Media: Do you know a budding Harry Potter, Ron or Hermione? Would they like a day in an exciting location learning real magic? Are they aged 10-14, based in London and available for a days filming on the 14th of January? If so email beth.davies@rdfmedia.com for an application form. 17.12.05

 

Magician and illusionist Collin Richardson is hoping to make a town's historic landmark disappear. When Stafford celebrates its 800th anniversary next spring, Collin Richardson, a member of the Surrey Society of Magicians, wants to help mark the occasion by vanishing the town's castle... and allow the audience to vote via text how they think the illusion was achieved! However, Colin still has to get the go-ahead from the local authority and needs businesses to sponsor the venture. To make contact email collins.magic@virgin.net. 17.12.05

 

Phantoms of the Card Table, by David Britland and Gazzo - the perfect holiday read and just £9.09 from Amazon.co.uk • December's Klub Magic is reviewed by Nick Ralls this week, Click Here • "Mike Danata's Magic Studio in Bournemouth has Mark Townsend's Find The Ladies in stock "A novel and humorous presentation for a classic trick, as commercial as one can get" Robert C Neale Click Here • James James has been booked again to entertain Christmas shoppers in Oxford Street with his street show - from 12 noon today • Mick Hanzlik emails that due to a cancelled foreign order, he has a few large size SupaLok's available for immediate shipping. Originally these were only available on a "made to order" basis. MagicWeek readers can purchase them at virtually half price (originally they were £135.00 each) at £70.00 each including delivery. Visit www.mickhanzlik.co.uk for details (email Mick and mention MagicWeek for special price) • "Lennon's Egg legacy to Geller" Click Here • "Panto is here – oh yes it is!" Click Here • "National street magic fest begins with shocking events" Click Here • "Traditional magic festival begins in Kerala" Click Here • "Local magician hopes to amaze in Vegas" Click Here • "The trick is in the cards" Click Here • "The abracadabra guys" Click Here • "Finding a stage for your talent" Click Here • That's it for this week, see you next week, Duncan. 17.12.05

 

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