Number 522 - 26th June 2010
International
Magic Convention London, 26th-28th November. First produced by Ron
MacMillan in 1972, the International Magic Convention has expanded over
the decades, outgrowing a number venues, but returns to last year's
excellent venue in November for three days of world-class magic. One of
the artistes making their UK convention debuts this year is Japan's Ponta
the Smith (see
www.youtube.com). Beautiful, fluid magic, Ponta the Smith will both
lecture and perform (and, because you won't be watching him on YouTube,
you'll be able to see what he looks like as well!). The Mermaid Theatre
and Convention Complex is right in the heart of London and enjoys
stunning views over the River Thames. As always there are a number of
different registration options available, for individual, multiple day
and evening show tickets. Visit
www.internationalmagic.com and for specially negotiated hotel deals
Click Here. We'll bring you more convention details over the coming
months. 26.6.10
91
year old British legend and magical treasure, Mark Raffles has never
even been to USA, or performed there ... but, at The
Innovention (Suncoast Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, 4th-7th October
this year) his 'American Dream' will finally come true! Innovention
Executive Producer Paul Stone, who also made it possible 15 years ago
for Mark to realise another lifelong ambition by booking him to appear
at the world famous London Palladium, has invited Mark to be a Guest
Star at the Convention and perform in the superb Suncoast Hotel
Showroom. Paul adds "it will undoubtedly be an emotional occasion for
everyone present and we are all very excited that Mark will be a part of
this outstanding and unique Convention." Numbers are limited to just 375
and space is filling up fast, but if you move quickly you might still be
able to take advantage of the Special $50 Discount Offer. Visit
www.innovention2010.com/specialoffer for full details and to
register. (Image courtesy
www.rsvpmagic.com). 26.6.10
Only
eight months to go to the greatest magic convention in the world - The
Blackpool Magic Convention! Every year since its foundation the
Blackpool Convention has got bigger and better than ever and next
February’s event promises to be even more successful than its
predecessors. Bookings are already at a record level so act quickly if
you want to be a part of this unique event on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday 18th, 19th & 20th February 2011. To register contact Arthur
Casson, 44 Bryan Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, England FY3 9BE or
telephone 01253 393688 (International +44 1253 393688). A registration
form is also available on the Blackpool Magicians’ Club website:
www.blackpoolmagic.com. 26.6.10
More
Mind-Melting Magic from Peter Clifford and Friends. After last
year's sell-out season of shows, Peter Clifford returns, bringing more
friends from the magical elite to the intimate setting of the Tobacco
Factory Theatre. Last year acts included Pete Wardell, Marc Paul, Nic
Einhorn, Noel Britten and Derren Brown, all of whom want to come back!
On Sunday 27th June the audience will be treated to Noel Britten, Peter
Clifford and Kieron Kirkland. This year's Sunday dates for future shows
are: June 27th, July 25th, August 29th and September 26th. All shows
start at 8pm. Tickets £12 (£8 concessions) from the Tobacco Factory box
office on 0117 902 0344
www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com. 26.6.10
Escapology
Workshop, British Ring Convention, Eastbourne. "A workshop on Escapology is a first for a British Ring Convention. It is to be
conducted by Danny Hunt of Amethyst. The inclusion of this workshop in the
programme is aimed at magicians who might be looking to add variety to their act
by including a simple escape; it is not intended to make anyone a specialist
escapologist. Danny with Annette Claire have made extensive tours both here and
overseas with their spectacular and breath-taking show ‘The Art of
Escapology’ establishing themselves as one of the country's most
exciting and innovative escapologists of the 21st century. They perform
some of the most spectacular and dangerous escapes ever created with a
contemporary and modern presentation..." To read the full convention
preview from Bob Hayden,
Click Here. 26.6.10
Hypno-Mental
Self-Working Card Tricks is the latest book from the fertile mind of
Paul Voodini. The book threatens to ruffle a few feathers, combining as
it does hypnosis, cold reading, and card magic. "It's about creating a
truly magical experience for the spectator," explains Paul, "where the
magician takes a back seat and allows the spectator to be the star of
the show!" The book contains four powerful routines that all combine a
self-working card trick, hypnosis and a dash of cold reading. The
routines are all suitable for close-up and parlour work. The book also
contains a full reading system for playing cards and diary entries from
Paul's trip to the Bermuda Triangle. You can never accuse the man of not
giving value for money! £14 from
www.readerofminds.co.uk. 26.6.10
The
Northern Magic Circle Junior Day of Magic will take place on
Saturday 10th July at Cross Keys Community Hall, St Peters Church,
Elmwood Road, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay NE25 8EX (Map).
The day starts with registration at 10am followed by the official
opening at 10.30am. Featuring junior close-up and stage competitions, a
magical quiz, a mini gala show with Brian Lead and Stuart Bowie, and
lectures and workshops with Alan Maskell and Alan Mylecraine.
Registration is £12.50 which includes lunch and tea. An evening ticket
is also available at £5.00 which allows entry from 4pm and includes tea,
the magic quiz finals, the stage competition, the mini gala show and
presentation of prizes. The Junior Day welcomes both adults and juniors
from any magical society. To register and for further details contact
Cynthia Neptune:
cynthianeptune@aol.com. 26.6.10
Adam
Hudson Presents... An Evening of Magic, Mystery and Mind-Reading. "A
unique blend of mathematics, magic and trickery are used to create this
award winning show. Observe incredible feats of photographic memory,
bizarre number systems which accurately predict the roll of a dice or
the spin of a roulette wheel and witness as thought of numbers are
plucked from the spectator’s mind in increasingly impossible ways."
Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th July at 8.30pm. All tickets £4. Black
Horse Hotel, 166 Friargate, Preston, Lancashire. For tickets contact
Preston Tourist Information 01772 253731.
www.magicadz.com. 26.6.10
Luca
McEnery is June's 'Junior Performer of the Month' at the Mid-Ulster
Magic Circle. Anne-Marie McAleese from BBC Radio Ulster’s magazine
programme, “Your Place and Mine,” broadcast recently from the club
during a junior teach-in night. Anne-Marie was amazed by the juniors’
performances and the programme created a lot of local interest and
enquiries. Jim Rush, President - Mid-Ulster Magic Circle
www.midulstermagiccircle.co.uk. 26.6.10
Presidents Night - Coventry Magic Circle,
date change. The Coventry Magic Circle extend an open invitation to
magicians everywhere to join them for their 'Presidents Night' on July
20th (note new date) at The Bentley Road Social
Club, Bentley Road, Nuneaton for "an open evening of entertainment,
light buffet provide, no charge, just a friendly warm welcome". Email
Mike Price if you'd like to attend:
miketigermagic@live.co.uk. 26.6.10
Brighton
Magic Shop - now open 6 days a week: "After a fantastic
refurbishment the shop is looking better than ever. Displaying great
props and tricks for the beginner up to the seasoned professional. We
now stock many items from cards and balloons to small illusions,
together with a wide selection of products from Alakazam. Professional
magicians David Taylor and Johnny can be seen demonstrating all the
great stock throughout the week, so if you are in Brighton come and
visit Brighton Magic Shop, 80 St James's Street in the heart of
Brighton." 26.6.10
Use
Your Illusion, Tunbridge Wells. Adam Smith, Joel Harrop and special
guest, present their stage show 'Use Your Illusion'. A night of magic
and mayhem is promised on Friday 9th July at 7.30pm. For information and
to book tickets contact Adam on 07920 772792. Byne Hall, St Johns Road,
Tunbridge Wells
www.adams-magic.co.uk. 26.6.10
The
Unusualists. Peter and Damien will be performing as 'The
Unusualists' on Saturday 3rd July at 7pm in this year's 'Beyond The
Border' Festival at St Donets Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, near
Cardiff
www.beyondtheborder.com. The Unusualists are inspired by the weird,
wonderful and sometimes creepy world of the carnival sideshow.
www.theunusualists.co.uk. 26.6.10
Harling
& Nyrup's new book, 'Mischief - Radical Hypnosis & Mind-Control', is
now shipping to international distributors. It will be widely available
shortly, and can be requested through your favorite magic dealer.
Harling and Nyrup are authors of the bestselling books "Sleight of Mind"
and "Geist". Find out more via
www.sleightofmind.info - we'll bring you a review in a week or two.
"'Sleight of Mind' and 'Geist' were milestone titles for mentalists who
have an interest in using NLP, suggestion and hypnosis in their
performances. Now authors Martin Nyrup and Ian Harling have revised both
books and combined them with a further 100 pages of additional material,
making their new title 'Mischief' one of the industry's must-buys for
2010 and beyond." 26.6.10
Young
magician Lewis Fuller, will be 12 this week, and recently came 3rd
in the Kent Magicians Guild Close-up Magician of The Year competition.
Today (Saturday 26th June) he has a wedding booked for 3pm and a show at
the Margate Winter Gardens at 6.30pm!
www.lewisfuller.co.uk. 26.6.10
Travis
Perkins Assembly - Ferrybridge Day of Magic update. Sunday, July
4th. During the afternoon there will be a Question and Answer session
with the first Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year Scott Penrose and
current Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year John Archer. Both these
award-winning performers will be participating in the "Showette"
alongside multi-award winning illusionists High Jinx. With a line-up
featuring Scott Penrose, John Archer, High Jinx, Peter Roberts, and
Epsie Havercott the day is all set to be a great success. Doors open at
9.45am (see What's On).
For more information email Travis:
travisperkinsuk@aol.com. 26.6.10
Paul
Gordon, Bradford Magic Circle lecture. Just a reminder that on July
2nd, Paul Gordon will be presenting his new lecture for The Bradford
Magic Circle. See
www.bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk for details. Paul will be performing
and teaching 'doable card magic' from his DVDs Card Startlers and Card
Rarities. Non-members welcome. See
What's On for more
lecture dates. 26.6.10
Roberto
Forzoni - Bexley Magic Society Challenge Medal winner. On Wednesday
16th June Roberto Forzoni (pictured here wearing his medal, presented by
club President, Roy Marsh) successfully beat fellow club mate Tony
Western in the Bexley Magic Society Challenge Medal competition. Tony
had been the holder for over three years and the rules of the
competition forbade him as the holder to repeat any effects that he had
previously performed in his response to the challenge. The categories
chosen by Roberto this time were Production, Vanish, Cards, Mentalism
and Close-up. It was a close run thing, with only seven points
difference allotted by the judges, who were the entire club membership.
Roberto is a worthy winner but now faces an almost instant challenge
from another club member, Ed Hilsum. Tony Western, the club treasurer
had been a tough act to beat but now he must be glad that he doesn’t
have to come up with any new routines for a while! Reported by Roy
Marsh. 26.6.10
The
Order of the Magi (Manchester) held their Annual Close-up
Competition on Tuesday 22nd June and for the second year running the
trophy was taken by Brian Berry (photo) with an impressive display of
traditional magic combined with a number of interesting up to date
routines built on a money theme. From blank notes to blank notes to bank
notes, growing coin sizes, cheques to bank notes and money production,
it was all there and his presentations clearly impressed both magical
and lay judges. Runner up was Nick Barnes with good one liners and some
material built on topical football gags using rope and ring, acrobatic
match boxes and prediction. The Best Card Trick Shield went to President
Elect Mike Hinde. The next meeting will be 13th July when Wayne Fox will
be lecturing. Guests welcome, door charge for non members, more
information from Secretary Mike Sharples on 0161-287 7865 or email
secretary@orderofthemagi.org.uk. Reported by Geoffrey Newton PRO. 26.6.10
Jason
Steele and Joanne are seen here with illusion designer and magician
Nestor Rotsen, creator of Slicman. They met during the couples current
touring season on the island of Menorca. 26.6.10
Entertainers/Magicians Wanted. Dov Citron emails: "I'm on the look out for seven passionate entertainers/magicians (ideally with experience performing in front of audiences of children and families) to head off to sunnier climes for six weeks (end of July through August 2010). You will be given an intensive training program before you go live! And then you will be out in some fabulous holiday resorts across the Med working on the Thomson Extra entertainment program. Your main roles will be to deliver interactive character driven poolside entertainment as an array of silly characters, perform party style interactive shows and evening entertainment. For more info. please contact Dov: 07985 535472 Dov Citron www.madhousekids.com". 26.6.10
Gordon Bruce to lecture at the Magic Lounge, Magick Enterprises, Broad Street, Sheffield on Thursday 8th July 7.30 pm. Admission £10. "Don't miss this magical legend giving one of his rare lecture appearances. Should be a great night!". 26.6.10
Dan & Dave Workshop. There are just a few more spaces left for Dan & Dave's private card magic workshop on 9th July. The whole three hour workshop costs $52. To book and join the guest list visit this facebook page Click Here and follow the instructions. The workshop can only hold a limited number of people, first come, first served. 26.6.10
Hocus
Pocus with Paul Kieve is reviewed by Ian Keable this week,
Click Here • Al Smith reports on the 1st Lincolnshire Day of Magic,
Click Here • America's Got Talent!
Click Here • John Lenahan, live on the Ventura, reviewed by Jack
Stephens,
Click Here • "Psychic Joe Power hits back after TV star Derren Brown
branded him 'fake'"
Click Here • "New Blood Festival: aladin '10 Magic Tricks: A
Masterclass in Enchantment'"
Click
Here • "Can Alan make up your mind at talent show?"
Click Here • "Preview: Penn & Teller at the Hammersmith Apollo"
Click Here • Many thanks for your news items this week, always
welcomed. See you next week! Duncan. 26.6.10