Number 239 - 22nd January 2005
Details
of the British Magical Championships, which
will be held at the Opera House during the Blackpool Convention on
Saturday 26th February, have just
been released. The invited competitors are: Stuart Brown, Dain Cordean,
Dazzling Darren, Alec Powell, Mark Shortland, Vizage, Viva, Shane, Alex
Lodge and Robert Blake from Belgium. With guest artistes Bernie Clifton
and Mr Blub and Dania. The Convention is still
attracting a record number of registrants and only 150 seats remain for
the Gala Show! The two vast dealer halls will play host to 104 magic
dealers from all over the world and the expected total attendance this
year is 3,500 from 20 different countries; a new record. The Blackpool
Magicians Convention is now listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the
world's largest.
www.blackpoolmagic.com. 22.1.05
The
Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Competition approaches - the
deadline for entries is January 31st and heats will be held on April 3rd.
Open to all magicians aged between 14 and 17 the competition has helped
launch many a professional over the years. Entry forms and rules are
available from Michael Colley, email
magicm@pmhcpath.demon.co.uk
- hurry! 22.1.05
Save
money on The Circus Space Cabaret in the London International Mime
Festival (Thursday 27th - Sun 30th January at 8pm). "A great night out" was
the verdict of The Stage in a recent Circus Space Cabaret review, and
their recommendation for January's Circus Space Cabaret is to "make plans
now for a great night out." Seats at tables are now £16 (£12 concessions),
and seats in rows are now £14 (£10 concessions). Box Office 020 7729 9522.
Hosted by the superb Tim Bat, the line up includes sensational Vietnamese
acrobats Duo Dinh Anh, top diabolist Donald Grant (replacing Molly Saudek
who can't perform due to injury), elegant club jugglers lukaluka,
Washington Trapeze from Damien Gaumet and Mathilde Sebald, Circus Space
graduate Merlin Borg on Chinese Pole, The Wrong Size promenading and the
jaw-dropping cradle act of Duo Vertigo.
www.thecircusspace.co.uk for details. 22.1.05
Gadget
Magic are now advertising with MagicWeek. Set up in 2003 by award
winning magician Richard Griffin, the business specialises in offering
magic gimmicks and accessories at competitive prices. If you can't find
what you're looking for on their site then they are happy to try and find
it for you, simply email
sales@gadgetmagic.com and ask. Visit
www.gadgetmagic.com
today!. 22.1.05
Secrets of Magic.
"A one-off special which sees a team of magicians from all over the UK
conjuring up incredible illusions before revealing how the magic was done.
With Nick Knowles." Radio Times. 6.50pm on Saturday 22nd January
on BBC 1. TV Magic. 22.1.05
The
Associated Wizards of the South Annual Dinner will be held on Friday,
February 4th (7.30pm for 8pm) at the Holiday Inn, Cartwright Drive,
Titchfield, Hampshire PO14 4SE (Map).
The Magic Circle's President Alan Shaxon is the evening's special guest
and will also perform in cabaret. International close-up magicians
entertain at the tables. Dress is "smart casual" and tickets are £22.50
each from Jayan Pillai, 335 Southampton Road, Titchfield, Hampshire PO14
4AX. Telephone 01329 846656 (evenings), 02380 341 962 (office), or from
Mike Pinder, 6 Hamble Close, Warsash, Hampshire SO31 9GT, telephone 01489
573210. Cheques should be made payable to 'The Associated Wizards of the
South' (enclose an SAE). 22.1.05
Loki
has been invited to compete at the 50th Magicians' Convention of
Austria/2nd SAM European Magic Convention in Eisenstadt from 26th to 29th
May:
www.zaubertheater.mra.at and can be seen closer to home on Sky's new
series Undercover Magic
which starts on Friday, 28th January.
John Archer and Marc Paul join Loki on
The Paul Ross Radio Show on LBC Radio between 12 and 12.30pm next
Saturday, 29th January, to talk about the series.
See TV Magic. 22.1.05
Percy
Naldrett and Edward George Brown. From March 2005 Paul Gordon will
present a new magic talk about two great names in magic, Percy Naldrett
(1888-1973) and Edward George Brown (1893-1947). Both men were leading
lights of The Magic Circle and Paul is just finishing work on two limited
edition books. The Brown book contains rare magic and contributions from
Daryl, Wes James and Peter Duffie, and both feature photos, memorabilia
and biographical information. Visit
www.paulgordon.net for more information. 22.1.05
"In
February 2002 Dan and Dave (the Buck Twins) set out to create a 'magic
DVD that would rule them all.' The catch was that this DVD would have no
magic. Nearly two years later The Dan and Dave System is finally
released. Are you ready for it?" Anyone who has seen these guys live will
know just how amazing their work really is, visit:
www.magicshop.co.uk. 22.1.05
Scott
Pepper and Oliver Tabor present Amaze & Amuse at The Barn in
Southend on Friday, February 11th. Tickets are free but during the
interval they'll be taking a collection to raise money for the Tsunami
Appeal. For more information telephone Scott Pepper on 07980 253372 or
Oliver Tabor on 07900 543384. 22.1.05
From
Gerry Luff: "It is with great sadness that I must inform readers of
MagicWeek that David Grist, the popular and internationally famous balloon
modeller, suffered a fatal heart attack on Saturday morning. He will be
greatly missed, particularly by his wife Vanessa and daughters, Rachel and
Victoria. The world has lost a great talent. A Book of Condolences has
been set up at
www.davidgrist.com." 22.1.05
At
the recent Manchester Circle of Magicians Annual General Meeting the
following officers were elected. President: Philip Partridge, President
Elect: Phil Tilston, Secretary: Derek Lever, Assistant Secretary: Anne
Lever, Welfare Officer: Geoff Berry, Magic Times Editor: Walter De Ruyter,
Junior Section Organiser: Don George, Fund Raising Officer: Jason
Duckworth, Video Librarian: Geoff Berry, Treasurer: Phil Tilston, Hon.
Life President: Derek Lever, Hon. Life Vice Presidents: Walter De Ruyter,
Peter Woolley. After the meeting 125 members enjoyed a five dealer
demonstration by Albion Magic, Classic Magic (Harry Robson), Peter Diamond
Magic (Brian Berry), Andrew Normansell and Master of Mystery (Adrian
Sullivan). The programme for the next six months features five
international lecturers and the membership fee is still just £10.00 per
year. More information from
www.taurusmagic.net. 22.1.05
Merlins
of Wakefield are now UK agents for Tora Magic Company. "Tora Magic
Company has been designing and making magic products for more than
eighteen years. Know the world over for their high quality products the
company is run by Hossein Aminipour, an experienced magician. Merlins are
proud to be working with such a professional and dedicated magic company
and will introduce new items to the UK market throughout 2005." To see the
product range visit:
www.toramagic.com. If you would like more information and prices
contact Merlins of Wakefield on 01924 339933 email
merlins@btconnect.com. 22.1.05
Chester
Guild of Magicians present their annual dinner on Friday, February
11th. For details email David Brandwood (secretary),
david.brandwood@clara.co.uk. 22.1.05
Mike
Oldfield's Tubular Bells Vol.2 - I'd forgotten just how good this CD
was until I popped it into the player just now whilst putting MagicWeek
together. Arguably even better than the seminal Tubular Bells (skip a few
tracks towards the end though). Available from MagicWeek in association
with Amazon.co.uk... nice!
Click Here •
Magician David Hawkins is currently being featured as "Gadgeteer of the
Month" on US website
www.the-gadgeteer.com •
BBC's Dick and Dom Strike back,
Click Here • Johnny Garcia performs cutting edge card tricks at
Cobbleheads,
Click Here • Illusions for Edward Norton,
Click Here • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always
welcomed, have a magic week, Duncan. 22.1.05