Number 471 - 4th July 2009

 

John Lenahan added to British Ring Southport Convention line-up. "It has just been confirmed that John Lenahan is joining the long list of headline magical performers at this year’s British Ring convention in Southport. John came to Britain in 1984 from his native Philadelphia for a short trip and has never quite made it back. From an inauspicious beginning (it was a summer season with Little & Large) John has become a successful corporate entertainer. He grabbed the headlines in1994 when he was the first person in 85 years to be expelled from The Magic Circle..." To read the full article, which includes additional convention news from IBM PRO Bob Hayden, Click Here. 4.7.09

 

Israeli mentalist Roy Zaltsman made a massive impact when he appeared in the ‘Melange of Mentalists’ show at the Blackpool Magicians’ Convention in February. He is returning to Blackpool July 21st. The Blackpool lecture will be held in the Blackpool Magicians’ Club headquarters in Sherbourne Road at 8pm (doors open at 7pm). As always there is a fully licensed bar and cafe serving hot food and drinks and the library and magic shop will be open. In his lecture Roy, who is extremely popular in his native land with considerable experience in both private and corporate events, will be explaining some of his own mental effects together with some close-up ideas. Roy believes strongly in knowledge-sharing and presents his techniques and ideas openly for the benefit of all. Lectures in Blackpool are free to all members and associates of the Blackpool Magicians’ Club; so if you're not a member or associate why not consider joining. Details of membership and associate membership (which is only £25.00 a year) can be obtained from the club's website www.blackpolmagic.com. 4.7.09

 

Practical Magic and John Kimmons. Jeremy and Cheryl Le Poidevin of Practical Magic are delighted to announce that John Kimmons is joining the company as advisor and demonstrator. John has already appeared in some of the most recent video demonstrations on the company's website and will be demonstrating on the Practical Magic stand at some of the larger up-coming conventions including Kidology (Tuesday, September 8th), the British Ring IBM convention (from Wednesday, September 23rd) and the Blackpool Convention, next February. Practical Magic are also working on a new puppet routine with John and have hopes of a new DVD. Many of you will know that John used to work for Supreme Magic Company. Since those days, he has developed into a busy performer, entertaining family audiences with his blend of magic and, especially, ventriloquism for which he is justly famous. John will continue with these shows alongside his commitment to Practical Magic. www.practical-magic.com. 4.7.09

 

Piff-Tacular. An International Magic Champion in a dragon outfit? Just you wait... One of the most celebrated and successful magicians on the circuit has traded tailcoat for dragon costume and called himself Piff. John van der Put’s new show Piff-Tacular has surprised and enchanted London cabaret crowds and was a finalist at Hackney Empire’s New Act of the Year competition. The deadpan dragon will appear at the Edinburgh Festival from 6th-30th August at 6pm at Laughing Horse @ the Hive. Here are the Preview dates:

9pm, 10th July – Tristan Bates Theatre – Pay what you want
8pm, 15th July – Royal Vauxhall Tavern £6
7.30pm, 21st July – Canal Café Theatre £7.50/6.50
5.30pm, 22nd July – Underground Venues, Buxton Fringe Festival £7/6/5
5.30pm, 23rd July – Underground Venues, Buxton Fringe Festival £7/6/5
4pm, 24th July – Underground Venues, Buxton Fringe Festival £7/6/5.

See What's On for Fringe dates and times. 4.7.09

 

Magic2wear is the brand new label launched by British illusionist Lee Alex replacing his well-known 'Magic Waistcoat' site. Magic2wear features many of the costumes from Lee's "Time for a Change?" quick-change lecture. Lee's recent UK lecture tour, which included dates for The Magic Circle and International Magic, enjoyed great success. Lee will be taking the lecture to the States in the summer, including a two-day event "Focus On Quick Change" at Jeff McBride's School of Magic and Mystery, where he has been invited by Jeff to teach students on the subject of quick change in a hands-on fashion. Magic2wear will also be exhibiting at the Magic Live convention in Las Vegas where attendees will have a unique chance to see the costumes at work, including Lee's own gimmick which he uses in his show called the "Magnas-eam". Many of the items on the Magic2wear site are at special prices, and more items will be added, including for the first time costumes for female artistes. Ordering from Lee directly means that you have constant contact with him during the process of having your costume made. Lee invites you to have a browse the new site, sign up to create a wish list, and ask yourself is it "Time for a Change?". Visit www.magic2wear.com today! 4.7.09

 

The Final of The Young Magician of the Year Competition takes place at the Centre for the Magic Arts, Stephenson Way, London, on Sunday 12th July. Edward Hilsum, Michael Jordan, Megan Knowles-Bacon, David J Marks, James Milner, Sanjivan Parhar and Carl Scutt will compete for the title 'Young Magician of the Year'. As usual, there are two shows, the first at 2.30pm, for which tickets are available at £7.00, and the Final at 6pm, for which there are a very limited number of seats left in the balcony at £15.00 each. Tickets are available from the box office on 020 7387 2222 (9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday). 4.7.09

 

Magicseen and Facebook. Magicseen is embracing new technology and now has a Facebook profile! All magicians and magic fans are invited to join. Editor Mark Leveridge says: "Anyone who joins will be entered into a Free Prize Draw to win a copy of 'Masterclass - The first four years'. This contains over 60 effects from many of the world's leading magicians!" To join magicseen, simply go to facebook, search for 'magicseen' and become a 'fan'. The facebook profile has different areas, including 'magicians reading magicseen' and also news from around the world. Deputy editor Graham Hey has just returned from Singapore where he witnessed an amazing magic world record... visit the facebook site today! 4.7.09

 

Leamington & Warwick Magic Society Day of Magic, Reported by Elizabeth Warlock. When the Leamington & Warwick Magic Society held their now annual Day of Magic on Wednesday June 24 at the Cubbington Sports and Social Club with its usual mix of lectures covering everything from close-up to stage to children’s magic from such stars as John Archer and Jon Allen and some dozen dealers selling their wares, it was good to see the day ending with the first ever Close-up Competition.

 

Named the Champion of Champions Close-up Competition the seven competitors comprised champions from various Midlands societies. While there was little difference in the marking with the first three places however it took the talent of Alan Cooper from Coventry to take the first prize of £300 with some eye popping effects like the coin in Bottle, the borrowed note in the Kiwi, and the signed card revealed in a capped bottle full of liquid. Second prize of £100 went to Carl Buck from Leicester who gave us the production of a bottle and glass of liquid, a version of the Ambitious Card combined with the colour changing deck and the torn and restored photo a la card. Craig Petty claiming the third prize of £50 performed some very clever coin and card work with the Coins Across in the spectator’s hands, a card effect combined with torches both of which diminished in size as the effect progressed, and the chosen card produced from a shrink wrapped deck.


Not placed were Graham Sargent (Northampton), George Symes (Birmingham), Steve Sherrington (Wellingborough) and Stephen Buxton (Leamington). The whole day was organised and sponsored, including donation of the prize money and the extra large Cup, by Mick McCreath. Elizabeth Warlock.
4.7.09

 

Jon Allen is featured in the July issue of MAGIC magazine. Along with a four-page article about Jon, there are three effects from his upcoming book Experience: The Magic of Jon Allen by John Lovick. www.magicmagazine.com. 4.7.09

 

Order of the Magi Auction. The Order of the Magi (Manchester) is holding their summer auction on Tuesday 14th July at 7.30pm with viewing from 6.30pm. The event takes place at The Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Manchester M8 8UF (Map). For a lot number contact Max Townsend on 07800 618218 or max.towsend@stockport.gov.uk. "Why not have a clear out and make some money for yourself or just come along to see if that special something you are looking for turns up?" 4.7.09

 

Mark Worgan Lecture. Mark will be lecturing on "Children's Magic, Close-up and Comedy Cabaret" at the Thames Valley Magicians Guild, Highfield Social Club, George Street, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 2ED (Map), on 29th July at 8pm. www.thamesvalleymagic.com. Visiting magicians £5.00. 4.7.09

 

International Illusionist Steve Kovarez has just been signed to appear in the Billy Pearce Show "Viva Variety" at the Spa Theatre Bridlington for the summer season. The show runs every Wednesday and Thursday from 15th July until 10th September (except 6th August). Tickets are £12.50 Adult, £10.50 OAP, £8.50 Child, £38.00 Family (2 adults, 2 children) with an additional show at the Spa Theatre Scarborough on September 12th. Steve will be performing his illusions in the show. For more details telephone the Spa Theatre Box office on 01262 678258. 4.7.09

 

Chris Hare’s Amazing Mental Deal! Announcing two brand new mental effects from Chris Hare. Watch the video featuring “Where in the World?” and “Where Next?” on his website right now: www.harebrainmentalism.com. Chris Hare's Harebrain Mentalism Lecture is now listed on our Lecturers page. Chris is the creator of Birthday Detector and the author of Sensational Memory and is able to offer your magic club an entertaining and informative lecture featuring powerful mental effects that can be performed using everyday items. Chris Hare has been a professional entertainer for over twenty years, during which time he performed his Hypnotic Show for a year in The Canary Islands, six nights a week. During the lecture he also teaches people how to increase their memory, more than, perhaps, they could ever possibly imagine. Contact Chris on 01784 453192 or email chrishare@aol.com for more details. www.mindboggler.co.uk. 4.7.09

 

The Manchurian Approach - Hypnotism for Magicians. Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12th July 2009. Become The Hypnotist; Learn an observation/attitude-based hypnosis model. Learn how to perform with hypnosis; Apply it to magic and mentalism. No history and theory lessons; Just tuition and practice. Mixture of classroom training and public performance. Day 1. In intensive practical sessions everyone will learn a solid but flexible approach to hypnotizing. Training and supervised practice will continue in the afternoon on the street and in bars until late. Intro: Subject selection: Set Up: Set Piece: Inductions: Fractionation: Testing: Re-Induction: Suggestion: Catalepsy: Corpsing: Amnesia. Day 2. Further classroom training to cover in depth more specialized knowledge. This will be put into the context of typical magic settings including impromptu, street, walk around, stage and TV. Hypno Forces: Hypno Peeks: Hallucinations: Control: Post Hypnotic Act: Managing reaction: Permanosis: Routines: Covert pre-show applications. Delivery: Intensive classroom training: Street and bar practical with the public. Training Manual: DVD: Mentoring. The cost of the course is £275. The trainers are Anthony Jacquin and Kev Sheldrake. This is not a stage hypnosis course. Venue: Liverpool City Centre, Liverpool. For more info visit: www.anthonyjacquin.com/training.html. 4.7.09

 

Further Spotlight - Carey on Cards. Britain's John Carey has just released a new eBook. Here's a quick look at some of the contents: Cut-Off Point - an extremely simple but powerful approach to the classic one deck "Do As I Do"; Clearly Impossible - inspired by Bill Abbott; Out of Sight but Still in Mind - streamlined handling and approach to Dai Vernon's card classic; WTF? Interchange - a very direct and bold approach to the classic pocket interchange effect; Those Whispering Good-time Girls - a simple but strong approach to the classic Whisperers plot; No Truth in the Tells - John's approach to David Williamson's Liars Poker; Two Little Breathers - Two items worthy of your attention using the breather crimp; Counting on You - John's handling and approach to Paul Cummins' fantastic Counting on It; Crystal Whisper - a two card transpo for workers; Twin Decisions - another approach to the one deck Do as I Do; When Nyquist met Lorayne - an extremely direct approach to the classic sandwich plot; You and Me - a signed card to box routine with a kicker they will remember... For more info and to order email johncareymagic@googlemail.com for details. 4.7.09

 

59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot by Richard Wiseman has just been published by MacMillan and is available from Amazon.co.uk Click Here. Here's a video that Richard's produced to promote the book: Click Here. 4.7.09

 

Magicians Against ID Cards! Russell Levinson emails: "Magicians say NO to cards - ID cards that is! Roll up for the Magical Liberty Tour at the Inn on the Green on Thursday 30th July at 8pm. The show is supporting No2ID which will have a stand at the gig. Check out www.no2ID.net to find out more about this independent organization which campaigns against ID cards. This is a very special evening and is not to be missed. Easy to get to it's just by Ladbroke Grove tube. Tickets are only £5 on the door. Hosted by the very funny Tim Fitzhigham, who sailed the Channel in his bathtub, the confirmed acts are: Ian Saville A deft and funny routine ... captivating in its charm ... utterly infectious (Guardian) Michael Pearse comedy and juggling that will have you splitting your sides. Katharine Rhodes miraculous mentalism and mind-reading. Stephen Barry hilarious magic from this prize-winning performer. Russell Levinson stunning conjuring with a twist! Venue: Inn on the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Ladbroke Grove W10 5XL (Map) Tel: 020 862 5757 www.iotg.co.uk Organised by Russell Levinson." 4.7.09

 

Magicians Wanted! Ashley Turner The Table Top Trixta is looking for magicians in the Newark/Nottingham area, interested in working weekly restaurant spots. Email mentalcomedy@gmail.com for more information. 4.7.09

 

Dawn Chester. Dawn's Funeral will take place on Friday 10th July at 12 noon at Yardley Crematorium, Birmingham. Dawn preferred little black, or casual. There will be a small get-together afterwards to celebrate the life of a wonderful person. Alan Chester (01253 3121190). 4.7.09

 

"'Magic Olympics' in Beijing to attract 2,300 magicians worldwide" Click Here • Girl Friday: Magic stranger calls" Click Here • "Lance Burton signs on for another six years" Click Here • "13-year-old swallows coin while watching magician" Click Here • Huddersfield Celebrates 60 Years of Magic - reported by Derek Proud, Click Here • "Las Vegas Strip to Close for Magician's Death Drop" Click Here • That's it for this week, I'm off to see Buzz Aldrin tonight at the Royal Festival Hall. 40 years ago Buzz flew to the moon, went for a stroll together with Neil Armstrong and then flew home again... now that's magic! (Photo: Buzz Aldrin, taken by Neil Armstrong, 20th July 1969). Your UK magic news is always welcome - see you next week, Duncan. 4.7.09

 

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