Number 304 - 22nd April 2006

 

Gary Young's 10th Top Secret Magic Day. This year's line-up has just been announced. The Gala Show stars Terry Seabrooke, Vizage, Alec Powell, Russ Stevens, Duncan Trillo, John Lenahan and Marc Oberon. There are four major lectures throughout the day from Russ Stevens, Marc Oberon, Martin Sanderson and John Lenahan. Pre Gala Show close-up magic from Ed Stivala. Magic dealers: Practical Magic, The Magic Zone, Sanderson Magic, RSVP Magic, Albion Magic, Alakazam, Bradford Magic Studio, Zanes Magic Shop (and more to be announced). The venue is The Bedford Corn Exchange, St Pauls Square, Bedford MK40 1SL (Map) right in the centre of the market town of Bedford and just outside Milton Keynes. Gary tells us that the venue and facilities are superb; a perfect theatre, a nice suite for the dealers and plenty of places to sit, relax and chat. Plus a magic café and bar. Reserved seating for the whole day costs just £25.00 (or £28.00 on the day, if still available, the advice is to book early). Visit www.topsecretmagicday.co.uk for more information and to book. (See you there!). 22.4.06

 

Geoffrey Durham No Hat, No Rabbit. The last of Geoffrey Durham's theatre shows for the foreseeable future can be seen this Wednesday evening (April 26th) at the Harrogate Theatre. "Durham is in a class of his own; the tricks are genuinely baffling and the enthusiasm infectious" Time Out. "He delighted and mesmerised an audience with magic that can only be described as impossible." The Guardian. Last chance - don't miss it! Box office: 01423 502116. www.geoffreydurham.com. 22.4.06

 

Pure Magic Bar. Manchester is all set to have its very own magic bar, Pure Magic Bar, which will open in June 2006. Run by magicians who perform magic behind the bar whilst serving drinks, customers will be able to enjoy the magic and will also have the opportunity to learn simple bar tricks themselves - the whole bar offering an "all magic" experience. Equally exciting is the fact that the bar is looking to hire magicians. The man behind the venture is Mark Bennett, a semi-professional close-up magician for nearly 15 years. The UK is crying out for venues such as this, and we wish them every success. Contact Mark Bennett for more information by phone 07974 005280 or email markb@puremagicbar.co.uk or write to: Mark Bennett, Pure Magic Bar, The Printworks, Manchester M4 2BS (Map). To see some enlarged images of the bar Click Here. 22.4.06

 

Liverpool Magic Circle Dinner Cabaret Charity Night. Starring Paul Daniels, Ray Alan & Lord Charles and Asa Murphy. Plus music from Sounds Central. Adelphi Hotel, Ranelagh Place, Liverpool, Saturday 17th June 7pm. For details contact Richie Smith 0151 548 6899. Liverpool Magic Circle are raising money for the Variety Club of Great Britain www.liverpoolmagiccircle.co.uk. 22.4.06

 

Magician to appear at York Racecourse Festival. York Racecourse have announced that a magician will be appearing at their major May Race Festival as part of the forthcoming York Magic Festival. John Danbury, a member of The Magic Circle, is one of the most sought after magicians in the UK and will performing on all three days of the race meeting which takes place from Wednesday 17th May to Friday 19th May. John, who has been resident magician at The London Hilton and on The Orient Express, will be mystifying race crowds as part of the Daily Trend tips. Taking place from the 17th to 21st May, the York Magic Festival will celebrate one of the world's oldest performance arts with venues across the city getting involved. James Brennan said "'May at York' is one of the best racing Festivals of the year so I am delighted that we can join forces with the Magic Festival to further entertain the crowd." www.yorkracecourse.co.uk www.yorkmagicfestival.com www.johndanbury.com. 22.4.06

 

TVMagic.co.uk are pleased to announce that they are the exclusive worldwide source for the highly anticipated new trick and accompanying DVD from TV's Pete Firman and Anthony Owen - Holey Sh*t! Available from the 'Magicians Only' password protected area of their website this trick has already received excellent reviews from Jeff McBride, David Acer, David Britland, Andy Nyman, Marc Paul, Paul Wilson and more. "I've been doing Holy P.O.D. since I first read it in Richard's Almanac. It's one of the hidden gems of card magic and it's a real shame that everyone is about to know about it again thanks to Holey Sh*t! Not only is this an excellent version of this effect, but it completely fooled me the first time I saw it. And the second. And the third. Don't buy it - I want it for myself." Paul Wilson. See the Quicktime demonstration of Holey Sh*t! on www.tvmagic.co.uk (Magicians Only section) today! 22.4.06

 

International Magic have just released the Roberto Giobbi lecture, recorded at their convention last November, on DVD. "This 85 minute lecture of quality card magic with excellent explanations is exactly what you'd expect from this master magician." Click Here. 22.4.06

 

British expat Derek the Balloon Man was featured in Pattaya Mail in an article that focused on his fund-raising activities. "When you are the son of a soap-maker, with a mother who made submachine guns, you probably have enough reason to end up in Pattaya, calling yourself Derek the Balloon Man. However, Derek is a genuine person, with great compassion for underprivileged children. He has done many things, including being a lighting ‘spot boy’ for the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Perhaps Derek has not reached that exalted level as a public entertainer himself, but I haven’t seen either of those two famous groups spending time making children laugh, as Derek has at the Pattaya Orphanage. Derek works a different stage, and perhaps at a more direct level." To read the full story Click Here. 22.4.06

 

The Great Kovari is lecturing at the Joker Magic Day in Hungary today, April 22nd, and will be presenting his latest creation "The Hungarian Chinese Sticks" www.jokermagic.com. 22.4.06

 

Andrew Normansell will be lecturing at the Preston Magic Circle on Tuesday 25th April at 8pm. The lecture features material from his recently released 3 DVD set 100% Commercial - Andrew Normansell (www.alakazam.co.uk) and includes stand up magic, mentalism and close-up material taken from his professional repertoire. The evening takes place at the Trades Hall, Station Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston. For more information call 01254 208449. 22.4.06

 

Mike Danata's Magic Studio for a limited time only are offering Yigal Mesika's Electric Touch for just £120 post free. It's currently advertised on their website www.mikedanatasmagicstudio.co.uk at £140.00 - call Mike for details on 01202 391666 to order at the special price. 22.4.06

 

International News: Adam Steinfeld's latest illusion, The Beach, based on his own original idea has now been in this long-running show for just over a month. "It's been two years in development" said Steinfeld "but I think we really pulled it off this time." Based on an original idea by Steinfeld, designed by Mark Parker and fabricated by Bill Smith, it mixes girls in bikinis in a beach setting... For more information visit: www.magiconthebeach.blogspot.com. 22.4.06

 

Salvano. September 17th 1929 - April 11th 2006. Salvano lived and breathed magic. The last time I saw him was the morning following a mini convention organised by Derek Lever and held in Blackpool in November 2004. We had both been on the bill, together with Pat Page, and when I came down to breakfast there he was, with Pat, "hard talking" magic at 7.30am (moves, routines, reminiscences... the whole lot!). Salvano's act was always very popular at UK magic conventions and was loved by many magicians. Silent and very traditional, it was jam-packed with great magic moves, productions and vanishes. His lecture (various lectures actually) was always excellent, featuring clever original magic that often (always!) caught magicians out; a fact which I'm sure secretly delighted him. He will be really missed. DT. 22.4.06

 

Bathtime with the Masters by Mandy Davis covers Jeff McBride's and Eugene Burger's recent trip to the West Country, Click Here • Ian Rowland's recent lecture at Blackpool Magicians' Club is reviewed by David Lancaster this week, Click Here • "Williams 'crucified' by church leaders!" Click Here • "Young Magician Wins Outstanding Business Card Marketeer Award for 2006" Click Here • "Blaine to be drowned alive in new stunt" Click Here • "Paul O'Grady to host 'Opportunity Knocks'" Click Here • That's it for this week, your UK magic news is always welcomed, see you next week, Duncan. 22.4.06

 

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