Number 345 - 3rd February 2007
The
Mystic Ring presents The Life and Career of David Nixon, a lecture by
Steve Short. Steve has researched David Nixon's life and career with
the help of David's family and many people who knew and worked with him,
including Ali Bongo, his magic advisor and friend. Using a Power Point
presentation Steve will show many unseen photos and tell stories - some
funny, some sad. At the end of the presentation, Steve will show
highlights from David's television shows. The lecture takes place at The
Dunstable Conservative Club, 49 High Street North, Dunstable, Bedfordshire
on Thursday February 8th and is open to visiting magicians (£5 admission).
The lecture starts at 7:45pm. For further details email
themysticring@hotmail.com.
A not to be missed evening featuring one of Britain's best-loved
magicians.
3.2.07
David
Blaine reflects on the future... World famous illusionist and endurance artist
David Blaine, has signed a deal with LG Mobile which will see him become
the face of LG Shine, the new model in LG's ultra stylish 'Black Label'
series. David will perform at
Cirque
(formerly The Hippodrome/Talk of the Town) in London's West End on
Wednesday 7th February 2007 to launch the phone. Since its November launch
in Korea, the stunning LG Shine has been hugely successful. It oozes
sophistication with its super-thin brushed metal finish and “magic mirror”
front that disappears when the phone slides open. In anticipation of his
visit, David Blaine has become the subject of a unique set of images
depicting a stylised modern day "King of Cards". Former "King of Cards"
Houdini, as he was originally billed, performed at the very same venue
just over 100 years ago in 1904. To see the LG Shine phone on YouTube
Click
Here.
3.2.07
The
Blackpool Convention has SOLD OUT! There are no VIP tickets left.
There are no Gold Card tickets left. However, Blackpool Magicians' Club
have created an emergency ticket, a 'Silver Card' at £45.00 for adults and
£20.00 for juniors. The Silver Card covers Friday all day and night and
Saturday all day with a ticket for the British Magical Championships on
Saturday evening and all day Sunday, but with no Gala Show ticket for the
Sunday night. 3,500 magicians from all over the world are going to the
world's biggest Convention - don't miss it! For more information contact
Arthur Casson, telephone 01253 393688 email:
arthurcasson@aol.com or visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
3.2.07
"It
takes years of training to become the best." Magicians,
the upcoming movie directed by Andrew O'Connor (featured in MagicWeek
328), starring
David Mitchell and Robert Webb (from the excellent Peep Show), is
set for release in April... here's a quick teaser:
Click
Here. (And look out for appearances by Aladin, Ali Bongo, Scott
Penrose, and Anthony Owen when the movie opens). 7.10.06
Jon
Armstrong lectures for International Magic on Tuesday 13th February.
This will be a different lecture to the one that Jon gave at the
International Convention in November. Entry £10.00. Venue: 'The Lamb Pub'
(nearest tube stations are Chancery Lane or Russell Square), 94 Lamb's
Conduit Street, London WC1N 3LZ (Map).
The lecture will take place upstairs. 7pm for a 7.30pm start, finishing
around 9pm.
www.internationalmagic.com.
3.2.07
"I'll
be honest: you missed out. Events that deal with the Real World of
Performance, Fees and well – Work – are as rare in the subculture of
magic, as an original Robert Houdin self-tying shoelace. So when one does
emerge from the static, attendance for ‘Workers’ is already a must. This
particular event however, was better than that. The calibre of content and
communication, was way superior to most magic lectures, or for that matter
most corporate events..." Ian ‘Mindwriter’ Carpenter reports on Gary
Young's second Corporate Zone Magic Day this week,
Click Here.
3.2.07
Wayne
Goodman will attempt to read the minds of politicians and reporters in
Newmarket at the end of the month. Visiting a local library he will have
any book, and then any word, selected from the thousands of available
titles, attempting to divulge a single chosen word. For information on
this event and regular updates regarding future events, visit
www.waynegoodman.co.uk.
3.2.07
Mark
Leveridge's New Releases for 2007. Just released... a number of items
for close-up magicians and children's entertainers, with every new product
coming directly from Mark's own professional shows. As well as these items
Mark's website also features monthly specially offers, a clearance page
(with items offered at a minimum of 50% off), his "Chatter" editorial and
much more. Visit
www.markleveridge.co.uk to see what's new!
3.2.07
David
Penn – Sony Product Launch. David Penn was in Lisbon last week
launching Sony's 2007 product range to both industry buyers and the world
press. David shared the stage with X Factor winner Liona Lewis and Danni
Minogue but the real star of the show was Sony's
Play Station 3 which David managed to get to grips with one afternoon.
He had to have permission from Product Manager Adam Williams just to
handle the product apparently, which was permanently protected by two
security guards due to its potential value on the black market prior its
official retail launch in March this year.
3.2.07
Manchester
Circle of Magicians enjoyed a capacity crowd of 160 at their Annual
Auction last week. Over five hours of continuous selling saw hundreds of
items go under the hammer. Although prices were good there were many
bargains to be had. Auctioneers Mike Shepherd and Derek Lever elicited
fast bids and a great deal of laughter in what was a very entertaining
night. The next Auction is on Monday 23rd April, 2007.
3.2.07
Inside
DVD from My-MagicShop.com "Learn how to make flat objects vanish and
reappear inside a sealed pack of cigarettes!" Find out more, visit
www.my-magicshop.com. Video clip:
Click Here.
3.2.07
The
Celebrity Big Brother wrap party may have been missing a couple of
housemates, but the stars favourite magician, Darryl Rose was there,
performing his close-up magic for celebrities, Channel 4 executives and
crew to great affect last Tuesday. Seen here with Jermaine Jackson.
www.darrylrose.com.
3.2.07
Mark
Leveridge is offering a new concept in club night lecturing with his
'Pick and Mix Lecture/Dem'. Clubs who book Mark's new lecture will be able
to select the items that they wish to see performed and fully explained
from a list of varied routines - ensuring that the mix of magic will suit
the interest levels of their membership. Dates are being booked now for
2007 and beyond. Club secretaries can find all the details at
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
3.2.07
Family
Magic Show - Starring Mr Fuzzy, Carl Pettman, Chris Hare, Brekk and
Mike the Magician. Thursday 5th April 2007 at Hilton Cobham, Seven Hills
Road South, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1EW (Map).
Raising money for the
British Red Cross (Tesco Charity of the Year 2007) the magic fun
starts at 7pm. Tickets: Adults £10.00, Children (under 12) £5.00, Family
ticket £25.00 (2 Adults 2 Children). To book tickets send payment by
cheque to "Club 2160" to Tesco Store Limited, Magicians Evening, Barnes
Wallis Drive, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0XF (together with your name and
address). For more information call 07749 775494. If you would like to
perform at this event or get involved also call the same number.
3.2.07
Gary
Jones, James Brown and Pete Wardell, three of the UK's top corporate
magicians, found themselves working together on the same stand at the
recent Boat Show at London's Excel. Gary said "Our totally different
styles of performance really made the event come alive and our stand was
always full of potential clients!" James Brown can be seen today, live, on
BBC1's When Will I Be Famous at 6pm, with the results at 8.35pm and
next week we'll bring you a clip from his newly released DVD Still
Fancy a Pot of Jam?
3.2.07
Black
Artefacts go Green. "Since relocating to the Scottish Highlands a
couple of years ago Black Artefacts have worked hard to ensure that our
business is as environmentally friendly as possible. For example the new
office was built with shelving using wood from certified sustainable
sources, lighting using low energy light bulbs, using non paper
communication (such as email) as much as possible, recycling all paper
waste and using recycled paper products. One of the biggest contributions
we make is by keeping our product packaging to a minimum. There is nothing
more annoying that buying something and finding that having unpacked it
there is just far too much unnecessary packaging which you then have to
dispose of. Black Artefacts will continue to try and improve and find ways
of reducing waste and environmental impact and we hope that other magic
manufacturers and dealers take up the challenge." Keith Hart..
3.2.07
Ashley
Turner performed at the Laughing Horse Comedy Club, Oxford Circus,
last Monday in their 'Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2007' competition
with his comedy mind control act. He successfully qualified, going through
to the quarter finals which take place later on in February.
www.laughinghorse.co.uk.
3.2.07
Tim Carter, Head of Factual Programming at Twenty Twenty Television has submitted the following, in response to a news items entitled "Exposed!" that appeared in MagicWeek number 339:
“Thank you MagicWeek for the opportunity to set the record straight about
our forthcoming television series for children. I want to reassure your
readers about the misleading suggestion that our show is in any way some
kind of ‘Exposure Show’. The series will follow a group of children as
they train and perform at a magic academy, and we firmly believe that the
shows will help promote the art of magic among young people. Let me be
clear – it is not our intention to spoil the mystery and allure of magic
or indeed threaten anyone’s livelihood with this show. We absolutely
accept the principle that if you reveal all the secrets of a trick, you
spoil it – as do the highly skilled, committed and professional magicians
that we have engaged to help us make this series. They simply wouldn’t be
taking part if they thought there was any chance of damaging or belittling
magic. To this end, we have engaged a professional consultant who will be
designing new and unique tricks especially for the show – tricks which
allow for limited explanation of various techniques, whilst protecting
significant parts of each performance to baffle and excite the viewers at
home.”
3.2.07
"BBC to seek 'real' Harry Potter" Click Here. 3.2.07
"CBBC searches for The Sorcerer's Apprentice" Click Here. 3.2.07
Calling all Cardmen. Paul Gordon emails: You might recall Tom Craven's excellent little 1982 book, The 16th Card Book. It was an 'underground' classic. It included magic by Harry Lorayne, Phil Goldstein, Roy Walton, Nick Trost, Karl Fulves and more! The magic was based on Alex Elmsley's 16th Card Principle from Ibidem. So, if you liked Oracle, Moracle etc, you will understand! Anyway, Tom Craven and Paul Gordon are producing a new edition (25 years later than the 1st edit.) with new material (plus the old material, updated) from the likes of Marty Kane, J. K. Hartman, Hideo Kato and Justin Higham. Other top cardmen have shown interest, too. If you have any 16th Card type effects, please let Paul know at info@paulgordon.net. Also - if you want updates on the publication of said book, email Paul Gordon at the same address. The new book will be about 100 pages and will contain over 30 items; most of which are commercial workable effects! 3.2.07
Blackpool Magicians' Club Annual Close-Up Competition. The eight competitors in the Blackpool Magicians' Club Annual Close-Up Competition maintained a very high standard to an appreciative audience. The winners were: First place Harry Robson winning £100 plus the magnificent Roebuck Rosebowl with an act which featured a miniature model helicopter flying into the Clubroom with the chosen card. In second place was Juan Tirado as an airline pilot with some very novel magic. Rick Green was third and also won the superb Ray Howes Trophy for the best card trick with a clever prediction using a television set. The night was organised by David Plant and Derek Lever ate fire and presented his giant Dippy Duck whilst the Judges deliberated. It was a great night. (Reported by Derek Lever). 3.2.07
Mike Danata's Magic Studio have added a "Dial-up Product Category" section to their website for non-broadband customers, to ease loading times (linked from the "Shop" button) and everything on the site is in stock, "if it's out of stock I take it off!" says Mike - so customers can always order with confidence. www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk. 3.2.07
The 27th Magic Car Boot Sale. Sunday 11th February at The Beechmen Circus Warehouse, 43 Union Street, West Bromwich B70 6BP (Map) just one minute from Junction 1 on the M5. From 9.30am, admission £3, over 25 stalls (some dealers, many second-hand). Hot breakfasts available.. 3.2.07
Jim Pace lectures on Friday 9th February for the Bath Circle of Magicians at St Mary's Church Hall, Saltford, Bristol at 8pm. Tickets are available at the door at £10 each. Free parking and refreshments available. Further details from james@puryer.freeserve.co.uk. 3.2.07
Professor Lala. Carole Meghriche emails from France: "According to our family stories my grandfather had a brother who ran away from Hull to Blackpool to become a magician. This would have been around 1910 or thereabouts. He went under the name of Professor Lala, and was maybe part of a double act. Is there anyone out there who may be able to share some light on the subject? Thanks a million - I am trying to fill in gaps in our family tree." Email: jean.meghriche@tele2.fr if you can help. 3.2.07
"What
do you think of these trainers? They're quite cool init" Dynamo gets
sneaky with Adidas
Click Here • Graham Nichols reviews Designing Miracles: Creating
the Illusion of Impossibility by Darwin Ortiz this week,
Click Here • "And for my next trick..."
Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week,
Duncan. 3.2.07