Number
1030 - 21st March 2020
The
Good Magic Awards. Celebrating magic for social good. Some
performers use magic tricks to improve the lives of others, including
work with disadvantaged groups, charities, hospital patients, schools,
community groups, and those facing physical and psychological
challenges. This use of magic brings wide-ranging benefits, such as
building confidence and self-esteem, inspiring happiness and optimism,
supporting physical rehabilitation and co-ordination, and tackling
loneliness and social exclusion. Within an educational context it can
foster a greater understanding of science or mathematics, help develop
critical thinking and creativity, and deliver positive messages.
The Good Magic Awards recognises, rewards and encourages this work.
These new awards have been set-up by psychologist and magician Professor
Richard Wiseman in collaboration with The Good Thinking Society. Richard
has recently reviewed the use of magic for social good, exploring work
promoting both wellbeing (see
www.peerj.com/articles/6081) and education (see
hwww.peerj.com/articles/8747).
Those who wish to use magic for social good are invited to apply for an
award to support further work in this area. The award is open to both
individuals and organisations. Applicants need to be over 18 years old
and currently residing in the UK.
Applicants are asked to complete a form (see
hwww.goodthinkingsociety.org/projects/the-good-magic-awards),
supplying a brief description of their background and proposed use of an
award. If appropriate, applicants can provide one or more website
addresses to support their application. A judging panel will select two
winners on the basis of reach, impact, innovation, and ability to
deliver the proposed activity. Each winner will receive £1,000 to help
fund their activities. It is hoped that applicants will spend the funds
within 12 months of receiving the award, and produce a short report
(typically no longer than one side of A4) outlining how the funds were
used. You can nominate yourself now and nominations will close at 5pm on
30th April 2020.
The winners will be announced this summer. Terms and conditions apply. 21.3.20
ShareMagic:
Live! A free online magic lecture event. Vanishing Inc. write: In
these unsettling times, we feel the world needs magic more than ever.
Vanishing Inc. is proud to announce the launch of ShareMagic Live: The
world’s first free, live-streamed, international magic event; a free,
live, online magic event with lectures, chat and fun competitions along
the way. Lecturing: Daniel Garcia, Caroline Ravn, Harapan Ong, Morgan &
West, Jim Krenz, along with some very special surprise guests and two
newcomers we like to support called Andi Gladwin and Joshua Jay. We’ll
be streaming live and each of our stars will share some of their
favourite magic with you. You'll be able to interact and chat with the
performers while they are live. How much is it?
It’s free. When is it? Sunday, April 5th, at 4pm GMT (12 noon EST). Find
out more, visit:
www.vanishingincmagic.com/sharemagic/live. 21.3.20
Shaman
& Showman conference with Jeff McBride and Larry Hass - update: now
an
online event. From
the organisers: Due to the pandemic, the Shaman & Showman two day
conference with Jeff McBride and Larry Hass scheduled for Blackpool next
weekend, has been altered to deliver digitally. In the current climate,
with many people self-isolating, we took the steps a few weeks ago to
work out the best way to fulfil the conference without having people
travel unnecessarily. To that end, if any magician wishes to join us via
their home computer on Saturday 28th and/or Sunday 29th March from
10am-6pm (GMT) Jeff and Larry will be delivering the entire interactive
conference live online from Las Vegas. We’re offering this for people
who are isolated and feel they need community. Please note there is a
fee payable. If you’re interested please email Jay Fortune
mail@jfortune.co.uk no later
than Wednesday 25th March. We stress that this is an open invitation to
magicians who are feeling particularly isolated at this time. 21.3.20
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week
The Magic of David Copperfield IX: Escape from Alcatraz from 1987. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
21.3.20
The
Amazing Fartzini II. Shane, aka Zane of Zane's Magic Shop writes:
The sequel to my book, 'The Amazing Fartzini' by Shane Robinson (Five
Stars on Amazon), called 'The Amazing Fartzini II: The magical
adventures of a boy wizard continue ...' has now been published, and is
available to buy direct through my magic shop or through Amazon
worldwide. Fans of the first book will be enthralled with the sequel -
same characters, plus new ones. And lots of reference to magic
performance. £7.99 plus postage:
www.zanesmagicshop.com.
From the publishers: In the sequel to 'The Amazing Fartzini', Eric Fartz, the boy wizard, continues to amaze wherever he goes. But, trouble is never far behind him - not if his arch-enemy, David Smythe Jr, has anything to do with it! In this exciting new magical adventure, will Eric survive his most death-defying escape yet? And will he finally manage to win the battle and escape from not only the physical but the mental shackles of his tormentor? Enter the awesomely imaginative mind of a boy wizard, where magic, fearsome mythological dragons, castles, knights in shining armour, witches, fortune-tellers and gangsters are commonplace, and where reality blurs with fantasy, questioning what is real and what is not! Readers of the first book will love the second book, which picks up right where the first book left off, with all the same characters, and new ones! 21.3.20
Genii
magazine digital-only subscription offer. Special offer:
Introductory price for digital-only subscriptions just $35! See
www.geniimagazine.com. 21.3.20
Merlins
of Wakefield - Magic Stay at Home Packs. Merlins of Wakefield write:
We would like to send our best wishes to everyone in these uncertain
times. We are continuing to remain open at the moment, and are following
government guidelines to keep customers and staff as safe as possible.
As a lot of you will be at home, we have put together
Magic Stay at Home Packs containing 2 x Magic DVDs, 2 x Magic
Tricks, 1 x Magic Book and 1 x Magic Magazine. The retail value is over
£75 for each pack, but they are just £30 including UK postage (overseas
+ £9.95 postage). Our Magic Festival Day on 17th May 2020 has been
postponed, and more details will be available next week as to what’s
happening. Anyone who has bought a ticket will be able to use it on the
new date and will be informed shortly. Stay safe everyone and hope we
will all get back to normal soon!
www.merlinswakefield.com. 21.3.20
Northern
Magic Summit - update. Brian Lead (Northern Magic Circle Secretary)
writes: At a recent meeting of the NMC Council it was unanimously agreed
that, owing to the prevailing Coronavirus situation, the forthcoming
Northern Magic Summit planned for the weekend of 1st – 3rd May should be
cancelled. The decision has not been taken lightly, but obviously the
health and well-being of attendees is of paramount importance. Those who
have already registered will be contacted by our Treasurer to arrange a
refund. To maintain a mood of positivity, however, we are pleased to
announce next year’s convention dates as 9th, 10th and 11th April 2021,
and we hope then to implement much of this year’s scheduled programme...
so please regard this as a lengthy postponement rather than a
cancellation! 21.3.20
Mark
Leveridge Magic - Web Offers March 2020. Mark writes: Cheer yourself
up by spending a small amount of money on one or both of this month's
great value discounted products from Mark Leveridge Magic. The Borrowed
Ring On Pencil is a terrific three phase routine in which a borrowed
ring penetrates onto a pencil centre in three impossible looking ways.
No gimmicks required, just a pencil, a ring and a handkerchief. Comes as
a downloadable TricKlip video file for just £6.00. Animal Antics is a
really fun filled kid show routine which is ideal for the 5-7 age group.
Lots of audience participation and a finish which will fool even the
watching adults. All you need is a pack of animal picture cards (such as
from the card game Donkey) and an unprepared envelope. Supplied as an
E-Routine, which is a downloadable PDF set of text instructions which
include all the patter, for just £4.00. With instant delivery to your
computer, these items are ideal if you currently have time at home. For
more details go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk/product-category/web-offers. 21.3.20
Alakazam
Magic - update. Peter Nardi writes: Due to the current Coronavirus
situation we have made the decision to close Alakazam HQ to walk-in
customers until Monday 30th March, when we will reevaluate the
situation. But we are still here Monday to Friday 9-5 to answer phone
calls / live chat and of course we will be sending orders out as per
usual, but we feel this is the best call for both the Alakazam Magic
team and our valued customers and friends. Stay safe people! Peter
Nardi, Alakazam Magic. For online ordering visit
www.alakazam.co.uk. 21.3.20
Magic
in the City, Bristol - update. From the organisers: Due to the
increased restrictions being advised to combat the Coronavirus
outbreak, regrettably we have cancelled the Magic in the City convention
for this year. All bookers will be contacted for refunds. We look
forward to returning next year for an even bigger event to celebrate the
Bristol Society of Magic centenary year. 21.3.20
Dynamo: Magician Impossible is now being repeated on W, starting on Wednesday 25th March. See TV Magic. 21.3.20
Legends of Stand-Up and Bernard Righton. Club comedian Bernard Righton (John Thomson) celebrates the world's greatest comedians, using archive footage to explore and explain their greatest routines. Clips in this instalment feature Les Dawson, Frankie Howerd, Victoria Wood, Jim Carrey, Rik Mayall, Mike Yarwood, Bob Blackman, Woody Allen and Tommy Cooper. See TV Magic for details. 21.3.20
Annual Auction and Car Boot Sale 26th March, Bath Circle of Magicians - update. The Bath Circle of Magicians write: As you have probably surmised, the Annual Car Boot Sale by the Bath Circle of Magicians has officially been cancelled. We will reschedule this event. Future meetings will be on hold until the all clear signal is given. In the meantime be well, stay safe and work on your magic. www.bathcircleofmagicians.co.uk. 21.3.20
Dennis Lucas. Remembered by Quentin Reynolds. Dennis Lucas aka Uncle Dennis passed away on Sunday 15th March. Based in Southend he was well known in the Essex and London areas as a busy children’s entertainer. A regular at the British Ring and Blackpool conventions, in later years he helped Peter Quinsee on the Camtryx stand. I’ve known Dennis since the mid-70’s and he had a quirky sense of humour that could be both irritating and hilarious at the same time. He also had the amazing knack of speaking to you in a quiet confidential manner without ever appearing to move his lips. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone and he would go out of his way to help people. In his mid-80's he had been in a nursing home for the past few years. His wife Liz passed away three years ago. He leaves a son, Bobby. Another of magic's characters gone. Quentin Reynolds. 21.3.20
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McCann"
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Crohn's recovery"
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Click Here • Thank you to everyone who contributed news. Take lots of care, and see
you next week, Duncan. 21.3.20