Number
1026 - 22nd February 2020
Blackpool
2020. We all knew it was going to be the biggest magic convention
ever (4,980 registrations!) but I think it's safe to say that this one
will also go down in history as the best ever Blackpool Magic
Convention as well. There were so many outstanding moments and many
surprises. Facebook is plastered with happy memories. The Blackpool
Magicians' Club and everyone involved in this mammoth production did an
amazing job, but they're not resting on their laurels with the immediate
announcement on the Sunday night that Criss Angel will be headlining in
2021! He'll be flying in from Las Vegas for next year's convention to
present a special 'Mega Talk' discussing the real secrets behind his
magic. Visit
www.blackpoolmagicconvention.com to register. Photo: The brilliant
Wayne Dobson levitating over the audience on Sunday's gala show.
Photo credit: Dan Eden
www.eden-photography.co.uk also see
www.bmcphotographs.com for more of Dan's outstanding convention
photographs - thanks Dan! DT.
22.2.20
Congratulations
to Korea's Do Ki Moon. Blackpool Magic Convention 2020 International
Close-up Competition winner! Here's a quick look at Do Ki Moon's
'Effective' DVD release, that highlights his inventiveness and skill:
YouTube. 22.2.20
Congratulations
to Graeme Shaw. Blackpool Magic Convention 2020 United Kingdom Family
Entertainer of the Year Competition winner! "Newcastle Magician
Graeme Shaw On BBC Look North"
YouTube. Also see
www.graemeshaw.com. 22.2.20
Magic
in the City, Double Tree by Hilton, Bristol, 17th May. From the
organisers: The Bristol Society of Magic presents the 2020 Magic in the
City convention featuring two of the most respected performers in the
magic world. Marc Oberon is one of the most innovative magical artistes
able to specialise in both ground-breaking stage magic and original
close-up magic not to mention mentalism and is the most highly awarded
magician having won all the most significant competitions including
FISM. Fay Presto’s commercial close-up lecture has received standing
ovations on several occasions including the 2018 Blackpool convention.
Her 40 years’ experience makes her one of the most celebrated close-up
workers in the world and her innovative lecture style makes for the
perfect learning experience. The Bristol Double Tree By Hilton is a
superb venue for the day’s events. For further information and booking
details visit
www.bristolmagic.co.uk/magicinthecity. 22.2.20
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week
Michael Vincent (Michael Louis at the time) in a guest appearance on a chat show
alongside Melba Moore, from 22nd December 1982. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
22.2.20
Studio52
Presents: A new kind of magic podcast. 'The M-Word' with Ben Earl.
Following on from the release of the first two volumes in a new book
series 'The Shift', Studio52 present a new kind of magic podcast,
available now on all major podcast platforms. Moving forward from the
traditional conversational podcast, Ben Earl guides the listener on a
deeply personal journey to explore meaning, mastery and magic. Listen
now!
www.Studio52magic.com/podcast. 22.2.20
The
Inaugural Chris Latham Workshop. In this afternoon masterclass at
The Magic Circle, funded by the Chris Latham Award from the Worshipful
Company of Makers of Playing Cards, ten young magicians will get the
opportunity to develop their technical and performance skills with
playing cards, in a small group, with expert tuition from Dr Will
Houstoun. The workshop will include hands-on instruction on one of
Will’s signature routines, a chance for participants to perform and get
feedback on their own card magic, and a participant driven exploration
of the technique and theory of card magic.
The workshop will run between 1pm and 5pm at The Magic Circle
Headquarters on March 28th, and ten places are open to card magicians
between the ages of 16 and 25. If more applications are received than
there are places, then spaces will be evenly divided between Members of
The Magic Circle and The Young Magicians Club with names from each
organisation selected at random. To register your interest, email
editor@themagiccircle.co.uk
with your name and age by 28th February. Successful applicants will be
notified of their place on the course by 6th March. This is a members
only event. For membership details of either organistaion visit:
www.themagiccircle.co.uk/join-us or
www.youngmagiciansclub.co.uk/join. 22.2.20
Magic
star Jeff McBride will be performing in the UK next month, along
with Dr. Larry Hass, the Dean of the McBride Magic & Mystery School. On
a short visit to the UK their only public show will be at the Astor
Theatre in Deal on the Kent coast on Friday March 20th. They will be
joined onstage by Careena Fenton and Paul Craven. A handful of tickets
are still available via
www.theastor.org. Over the following two days (March 21st and 22nd),
also in Deal, Jeff and Larry will be holding their world-famous Master
Class for performers of all levels. Careena Fenton and Paul Gordon, both
from the UK, will be in attendance as special guest professionals. If
you are interested in taking up the last space available in this small
group, visit
www.magicalwisdom.com/events. 22.2.20
Conjuring
at the Court - London. From the organisers: On Thursday 27th February the
show features great magic from by four very different acts. There's
crosstalk humour from Griffin & Jones, madcap hilarity with Andy
Clockwise, intriguing mysteries from Noel Qualter, and the urbane wit of
Ian Keable. The show starts at 8pm and runs to 10pm with an interval.
It’s in the lovely function room of the Drayton Court, 2 The Avenue,
West Ealing, London W13 8PH (Map).
Come early to enjoy a meal before the show!
Parking is free from 6.30pm. Tickets still just £11 in advance from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com.
22.2.20
Magic
Touch are pleased to announce that they won 'Beat The Wand' at this
year's Blackpool Magic Convention. This comes just before a small
one-show-a-month UK tour. To sponsor them, so that they can return to
Blackpool in 2021 see
www.gofundme.com and
www.powysb.blogspot.com. 22.2.20
Free
Products from Mark Leveridge Magic. E-Club Pro, Mark Leveridge's
online magic resource, provides a vast amount of terrific magic, advice
and help to magicians of all types and experience. With updates and new
material being added every month, there's always something new and
exciting for members to enjoy. But E-Club Pro also saves magicians money
too! Members receive a standard automatic 50% reduction on all full
price items purchased from Mark's range of marketed downloads, and are
offered a different E-Routine to download from the Download Portal
section every month for free. Plus, those who opt for the exclusive
Elite version of the club are given access to The Magic Den, where there
is a selection of 10 products from Mark's range available to download
for free, with two of the items being changed every month. This means
that you can easily get back your monthly membership charge by
downloading these top effects. So being a member of E-Club Pro or E-Club
Elite makes total sense, and with no set subscription period to tie you
in longer than you want, it constitutes one of magic's greatest
bargains. For more information and to sign up go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk. 22.2.20
Shoot
for the Moon: How the Moon Landings Taught us the 8 Secrets of Success. Richard Wiseman.
From the publishers: Eight key lessons to revolutionise your life with
the mindset that got man to the moon. 20th July 1969: Neil Armstrong
becomes the first person to walk on the Moon. We all recognize this to
be one of mankind's greatest achievements. Yet what did it take to make
John F. Kennedy's dream a reality?
In this remarkable book, Professor Richard Wiseman presents a pioneering
study of the mindset that took humanity to the Moon, and shows how you
can harness and use it to achieve the extraordinary in your everyday
life. Combining personal interviews, mission archives and cutting-edge
psychology, Wiseman embarks on the ultimate voyage through inner space.
Along the way he identifies eight key principles that make up the Apollo
Mindset, including how pessimism is crucial to success, and how fear and
tragedy can be transformed into hope and optimism.
You will discover a series of practical techniques that you can use to
incorporate these winning principles into both your professional and
personal life. Whether you want to start a business venture, change
careers, find your perfect partner, raise a loving family, get promoted,
gain a new qualification, escape the rat race, or pursue a lifelong
passion, these techniques will help you to reach your own Moon.
[Anyone who saw Richard's talk at the Blackpool Convention will know how inspiring his work is, and this book is no exception. If you feel you sometimes lack a little 'get up and go' career wise, then 'Shoot for the Moon' should do the trick. Highly recommended. For more info or to order from Amazon Click Here. DT]. 22.2.20
The
Magic Club York are holding a table top magic sale on Monday 2nd March
at Acomb Bowls Club, 302 Thanet Road, York YO24 2NW (Map).
Tables are £5 for club members and £10 for non members. The doors will
open for sellers to set up at 6.30pm ready for the sale to start at
7.30pm. There will be a small entrance fee of just £2 for non members.
Refreshments are available. Anyone who would like a table to sell their
unwanted magic items should contact Mal Sanderson on 01904 762662 or
07866 053451. www.magicclubyork.co.uk. 22.2.20
All Star Family Fortunes. "Former Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon and family battle it out against Uri Geller and clan in a bid to win big money for charity. The McClarnons are playing for Liverpool-based charity RASA, while the Gellers are supporting the Red Cross. Hosted by Vernon Kay." Repeat. Sunday 23rd February on Challenge. See TV Magic for details. 22.2.20
Magic
at the Tower of London. From the promoters: For some time now the
management at the Tower of London have often thought of introducing
something extra that would add to the experience for the thousands of
daily visitors. Unfortunately the Tower presents unique issues for this
idea to be followed through, not only that but the type of entertainment
would need to fit in with the theme of the Tower. Seven months ago the
Tower's management had a private meeting with magician Tony Quenten to
discuss this matter. Tony was asked if it was possible to develop
something that would be suitable, bearing in mind that 80% of visitors
are from overseas and English is not their first language. Following
numerous visits and further meetings Tony produced a 26 page dossier
outlining 13 Tower related effects along with scripts that would relate
some of the effects to the Tower's history. On the 8th January 2020
within the Tower walls Tony presented his findings. The management
response, "we are wowed". Tony now steps out as the first "Entertainer
of Mystery" in the history of the Tower to entertain their thousands of
daily visitors. Tony will perform in and around the Tower grounds for
one week each month through 2020. Dates set at the moment are: February
24th-28th and March 23rd-27th, 11am to 4pm. Tony is a member of The
Psycrets, the Blackpool Magicians' Club and Manchester Circle of
Magicians. If anyone wishes to know more or have specific questions for
Tony email
info@anthonyquenten.com or see
www.anthonyquenten.com. 22.2.20
Inside No 9 - Monday 24th February, on BBC Two. "Misdirection. Series 5, episode 4. Student journalist Gabriel is determined to interview world-famous magician Neville Griffin, who is renowned for being extremely protective of his secrets and believes stealing a magic trick is a crime worse than murder. But how would he know that, exactly? The latest instalment of the darkly comic drama anthology, written by and starring The League of Gentlemen's Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, with guest appearances by Fionn Whitehead, Jill Halfpenny and Tom Goodman-Hill." See TV Magic for details. 22.2.20
Home
Counties Magical Society held their annual close-up competition last
week. With a strong field of close-up performances the winner was
Michael Wilks, seen here receiving the Bill Hammersley Trophy from
President, Derek Oliver.
www.hcms.org.uk. 22.2.20
Tarot Card Reading and Fortune Telling for Fun and Profit - Rochdale, 8th March. From the organisers: Professional Psychic Entertainer Stuart "Harrizon" Cassels presents an intensive one-day course teaching Tarot Card Reading and various other forms of fortune telling. During the event, Stuart will be sharing many of the secrets he uses at trade shows, house parties and corporate events. Whether you want to add a little fortune telling to your existing mentalism act, or increase your income with Psychic and Tarot Parties, this course will take you from zero knowledge to appearing to be the expert in divination in just one day! Sunday, 8th March, 9.30am to 5.30pm at The Flying Horse Hotel, Packer Street, Rochdale, Greater Manchester OL16 1NJ (Map). £77 early bird price until 31st January, then £97 after. See www.fortunetellingacademy.co.uk for full details and to book. 22.2.20
Brazen - West Yorkshire, 27th February. Brazen, a stage show of magic and illusion by Alexander Wells & Co. Brazen is a portrayal of two travelling magicians demonstrating their deceptive arts and exhibiting an ancient, magical automaton; A talking brass head that can read minds and see everything that was and will ever be, an oracle transcending time. The show combines illusion, puppetry, magic, mentalism and comedy to create this world and entertain the audience. It has visual and artful magic, dangerous feats of skill, audience involvement and uses ancient and modern artifice from the conjurer's art. Thursday 27th February at 7.30pm at The Golden Lion, Fielden Square, Todmorden, West Yorkshire OL14 6LZ (Map). Tickets: www.skiddle.com. Also see facebook.com/AlexanderWellsMagic. 22.2.20
"Where's
my ad?" The free For Sale and
Wanted section has always been a great
success, but please do take a minute to read the Terms & Conditions
before submitting your ad. About 5% of ads currently don't make it.
Please also read the very clear Warnings regarding internet fraud. DT. 22.2.20
"Review: Keith Barry at the Everyman in Cork"
Click Here • "Psychology toolbox: How to use skepticism"
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Here • "Magician Shin Lim On How He Acquired His Sleight Of Hand"
Click Here • "Simon Cowell Cancels Britain's Got Talent 2020 after magic
trick horrifically backfires?"
Click Here • "Who is Ben Hanlin? Meet the magician causing waves on Dancing
on Ice"
Click Here • "A short interview with a skateboarding magician"
Click Here • "Magician’s free Shetland cinema to vanish for good"
Click Here • "Preview: Celtic Illusion a 'curious' mix of magic and dance
that keeps audiences intrigued"
Click Here • Always happy to receive your UK magic news (big and small!),
see you next week, Duncan. 22.2.20