Number 307 - 13th May 2006

David Blaine stole headlines worldwide last week with his latest death defying stunt; seen here on the front page of London's Evening Standard captioned "DAVID BLAINE RESCUE DRAMA." Blaine generates a love/hate reaction from both the press and magicians, but he's just doing his job, and doing it very well too. It was David Blaine who introduced magic to a completely new audience with his first TV special  David Blaine: Street Magic nine years ago, and he hasn't stopped since. "Blaine rescued 'in nick of time'" (includes video and more news links) Click Here, "Underwater Stunt Brings Grueling Pain for David Blaine" (includes video) Click Here "David Blaine wants to try breath stunt again" Click Here. (I tried holding my breath underwater in the bath this morning but it didn't work out, I only lasted 12 seconds. Really.) 13.5.06

Dynamo's Estate of Mind went out on Channel 4 on Thursday evening. The programme's format worked well and Dynamo did his thing with great success. He clearly lives and breathes magic. Last month he was profiled by the Guardian in a piece titled: The ace in the pack. "He looks like he's stumbled straight from a Dickens novel, but 21-year-old Bradford magician Dynamo is ushering in a very modern style of street sorcery... Three young men in a battered BMW screech to a halt. Nearby, a crew carrying expensive camera equipment look round warily; this is a deserted backstreet in east London after all. 'Oh. My. God,' squeals an excited voice as the driver's window slides down slowly. 'I seen you on Richard and Judy the other day, innit?' The cameramen breathe a sigh of relief as the real object of the teenage trio's attention - a slight, pale young boy - tips his customised cap toward them. 'All right lads,' he nods in his thick brogue. 'Wanna see some magic?'" To read the full article in the Guardian Click Here. 13.5.06

2magicians Downloaded. The Hen & Chickens, 109 St Paul's Road, London N1 (Map) from Tuesday May 16th – Saturday May 20th at 9.15pm sharp. Tickets: £6.00. Box office 020 7704 2001. This is a rare chance to see comedy magicians Barry (left) and Stuart (right) - stars of Channel 4's award nominated Dirty Tricks, The Magic of Jesus and Magick – live on stage presenting their dark, macabre magic - a mixture of strange feats and comedy sketches involving members of the audience. "There are characters that hear voices in their head; some who are fatally addicted to smoking and others who are demonically possessed. You’ll see Barry & Stuart regurgitate the impossible, play with sharp objects and even attempt to recreate a biblical miracle live on stage. Expect bloody mayhem and lots of strange surprises." Originally from Aberdeenshire the duo made their television debut just a few years ago, and in June they'll be back on Channel 4 with Tricks from the Bible, in which the Old Testament miracles get the Barry and Stuart treatment. www.2magicians.com. 13.5.06

Close-up Magic Convention in Sussex - today! Saturday 13th May. The second Close-up Magic Convention in Sussex starring: Martin Sanderson, Stephen Tucker, Jon Allen, Peter Scarlett, Sean Heydon and hosts Paul Gordon and Mark Worgan. Lectures, Shows, Dealers, Workshops: www.cumcis.co.uk. 13.5.06

Bristol Day of Magic - tomorrow! Sunday 14th May, Weston-super-Mare Winter Gardens complex. Graham Jolley, Louis Baerts, Michael Finney (photo), David & Dania, Dave Jones, Peter Wardell, Roy Davenport, John Archer, Steve Della, the Balloon Brothers and Richard Cadell. Close-up, Gala Show, Dealers, Workshops: www.bristolmagic.co.uk. 13.5.06

X Factor: Battle of the Stars launches on May 29th, with Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne on the judging panel. Tipped to appear to date: Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, ex-Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona, DJ Chris Moyles, vegetable expert Dr Gillian McKeith and Jordan with more names to be announced. tv.yahoo.com  13.5.06

Middlesbrough Circle of Magicians lectures. Marc Paul presents his "Mind 2 Mind with Marc Paul" lecture on Monday 22nd May and Michael Vincent (photo) his "Tapestry of Deception" lecture on Thursday 1st June. Non-members who are bona-fide magicians are welcome (£5.00 entry fee) of only £5. Contact Edward Loughran edward.loughran@ntlworld.com for details. 13.5.06

Magic at the Albert Hall. The NSPCC's Dream Auction event at the Royal Albert Hall on May 9th raised over £5,000,000 for the charity. Nic Picot, Mark Cosby, Steve Burton and Michael Fairall presented close-up magic during the evening to many famous guests including Sir Michael Caine, Uma Thurman and the Duchess of Wessex. The evening was rounded off by soul legends Earth, Wind & Fire (seen here backstage with Michael Fairall, mid card trick). 13.5.06

Children's Entertainers: Just in and only available in the UK from Practical Magic: Jozo Bozo's Mismade Birthday Silks. "This is the usual mismade theme but tailored for the birthday child. Four beautifully printed 18" x 14" heavyweight silks and a CD showing the item in performance. Full details from www.practical-magic.com on the Home Page. 13.5.06

Norwich and District Magic Circle are holding a week of magic at Summerfield's holiday village, Scratby Gt Yarmouth. Acts booked to appear during the week are Chris North & Belinda, Pat Page, TrickStars, Malcolm Mallett, Geraldini and Billy Bubbles the Clown. There will be a special night of Magic and Illusion, Merlins of Wakefield will present a dealer dem and Pat Page will lecture. June 10th - 17th. To book a caravan or chalet for the week telephone 01493 731419. Website: Click Here. 13.5.06

Mark Worgan cruises in the Med aboard the Destiny from May 18th, returning on the 25th before joining the MV Oceana for a week from the 27th. Mark's Klub Magic is taking a year off but a one-off live magic show is in the pipeline, details when we have them. www.markworgan.co.uk. 13.5.06

Bunny Neill died on Sunday 7th May. Born in the Caribbean he became a magician and escapologist at an early age and was a full time professional for over 40 years. He became the first African Caribbean performer in the UK to receive the prestigious MIMC (Member of The Inner Magic Circle) Gold Star from The Magic Circle and Bunny worked all over the world. He played the London Palladium in 1968 with Sammy Davis Jnr. topping the Bill. Bunny is remembered by Allen Tipton Click Here. BBC Black History Season - "Magical Storytelling" Click Here. Bunny's funeral will take place at 10am on Thursday 18th May, at the Wilford Hill Cemetery, Nottingham. Everyone is welcome. Family flowers only, any donations should be sent to the Queens Medical Centre, Intensive Care Unit, Nottingham. 13.5.06

Bicycle Stripper Decks. These really are the last word in Stripper decks. Just recently produced for magicians by the US Playing Card Company they look and handle perfectly, just like a normal deck, but as a stripper deck. Life doesn't get much better! Available from www.internationalmagic.com. 13.5.06

Charles Gauci's Reputation Makers II UK Lecture Tour, September 2006. "Charles is the creator of some of magic's best selling effects including, Eye to Eye, Body Language, Nostradamus, The Houdini Deck Mystery, Numerology, Believe it or Not, The Diabolical Wallet, Destination Unknown, 15 Minutes No Mnemonic Memorized Deck System, Winner Takes All and Mystic Vibrations. In this 2½ hour feature packed lecture Charles will demonstrate and explain effects from his professional act which you can perform close-up or on stage. This is practical commercial magic that is easy to perform and you will use." For much more information, and to book the lecture for your club, contact Colin Peters on 01306 883938 email colinpeters@themagiccircle.co.uk. 13.5.06

Ali Cardabra lectures at The Mystic Ring. "One of magic's most creative minds will lecture at The Mystic Ring. If you have seen Ali lecture before then you will know what an informative and entertaining lecture this will be. In the second half of the lecture Ali will feature his Charlie Chaplin character." Thursday, 18th May 7.45pm, £5 admission. For more details visit: www.mysticring.co.uk or email themysticring@hotmail.com. 13.5.06

Peter Scarlett lecture. Bolton Magicians' Club are pleased to announce that Peter Scarlett will be presenting his 'Sleightly Entertaining' lecture to Bolton Magicians' Club on Wednesday 17th May at the Cotton Tree, Prince Street, Bolton at 8.30pm. Peter's lecture will cover close-up, parlour and stage magic. Visiting magicians from other societies are welcome on payment of a £5 guest fee. Further information: www.bolton-magic.co.uk or telephone Jim Hodgkiss 01204 522651. 13.5.06

Robert Fox was asked to perform at this years Poker Final event, sponsored by Maxim, held at top London club Cafe de Paris on Wednesday. Many celebrities attended including Rebecca Loos (pictured with Robert), Teddy Sheringham, Miss England and Michael Greco. Robert performs every Friday night for celebrities in the VIP area at Cafe de Paris. www.robertfox.net. 13.5.06

Peter Baffles is currently filming alongside Peter Duncan and Nicky Diamond on the second series of Demolition Dad, for Channel Five. The programme is for children's TV and is scheduled to be screened in September. Peter is also once again one of the main principals in Babbacombe Theatre's show "The Magic of Variety" this summer. 13.5.06

Congratulations to Chaz, The Devon Magic Circle's Children's Entertainer of the Year 2006. The competition took place at a local school in front of an audience of 200 and was judged by both adults and children from the school. Chaz as been entertaining since the early 1980's and turned professional in 1991. Since then he has worked both at home and abroad. Website, Click Here. 13.5.06

Pyro (Damien O'Brien) has been contracted to do a magic tour in Kos starting on 1st June 2006. The tour will see Pyro performing close-up magic at beach parties and nightclubs including Starlight and Status. Pyro is currently filming his new magic DVD X-Tream Magic which will include tour footage and street magic shot in London. www.xtreammagic.co.uk. 13.5.06

Controversial hypnotist and mind magician Jonathan Royle will be appearing at Middleton Civic Hall on Thursday 25th May. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. The two hour show promises to include: "Mind blowing hypnotism, past life regression, psychic healing and even contacting the dead!" So a little something there for everyone then. Tickets are £10.00 each. To book in advance visit www.middletoncivic.com. Box Office: 0161 643 2389. 13.5.06

Criss Angel is David Letterman's special guest at 11.30pm on Tuesday 23rd May on ITV4 TV Magic • "Magician Keith Barry dazzles celeb guests on CBS" (includes video) Click Here • Dirk Losander lectures in the UK in May and June, see What's On for tour dates. Website: www.losander.de • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 13.5.06

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