Number 326 - 23rd September 2006
The
Magical X Factor... The Blackpool Convention organisers continue to
innovate with the introduction of "The Magical X Factor" - a new addition
to The British Magical Stage Championships 2007, which will be held on
Saturday 24th February. Judges will offer the acts constructive comments and compere
Tony Stevens will then invite the individual performers to respond. The prize
money has also been increased with the Grand Prix award now being
£1,300. In addition to the trophy and cash any act reaching a
predetermined number of points in any category will be sponsored to
perform at FISM in China in 2009. For more on the convention, and to
download a Convention Registration Form, visit
www.blackpoolmagic.com. 23.9.06
Irish
Magic Convention. The International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring 85
in association with The Ulster Society of Magicians presents the 57th
annual Irish Magic Convention at The Hilton Hotel, Belfast on 4th, 5th and
6th May 2007. Featuring a spectacular Festival of Magic Gala Show, an
International Close-up event, world class lectures, children's events,
Gala Banquet, competitions and much more. Belfast is a lively, vibrant
city with much to offer delegates and their guests. The Convention weekend
coincides with two of the city's most exciting cultural events 'The
Festival of Fools International Street Theatre Event' and 'The Cathedral
Quarter Arts Festival'. The luxurious 5 star
Hilton Hotel enjoys a superb city centre and riverside location.
Special rates have been negotiated for convention delegates: Bed &
Breakfast £42.50 per person sharing per night (single supplement £42.50)
telephone 028 90 277000 quoting the "magic convention special offer."
Early booking is recommended. The Waterfront Hall is situated next to the
Hilton Hotel and is a landmark building in Belfast's prestigious Lanyon
Place development. This exceptional venue promises to be the perfect
setting for the spectacular Festival of Magic Gala Show. To register for
the convention contact George Bleeks 07860 115611 email
george.bleeks@ntlworld.com.
For all additional enquires contact Paul Mc Eneaney 07866490381email
paul@cahootsni.com. Updates will
be posted on the following websites:
www.online-usm.com
www.ring85.50megs.com. 23.9.06
More
Blackpool news! Greg Frewin will be performing close-up magic for the
first time in the UK as well as topping the bill on the Gala Show and
hilarious 3 handed comedy act Die Zauderer (photo) have just been booked.
They were a huge hit at FISM in Stockholm and will be performing on both
the Saturday and Sunday shows. Early Bird discounts! Selected dealers in
the Professional Magic Dealers Association will be offering big discounts
on the Friday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm - so it will pay you to visit the
Dealer Halls early! The Convention takes place on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday 23rd, 24th, 25th February, 2007. Contact the Registration Officer
Arthur Casson on 01253 393688 or download a Registration Form from
www.blackpoolmagic.com. 23.9.06
Meatloaf
and Magic! Chris Congreave is staging a charity show to raise money
for Breast Cancer Awareness in the West Midlands on October 18th. Sean
Carpenter, David Oakley, Ron Popple, and 14 year old illusionist David
Pitt are all on the bill and David Halford (from "Stars in Their Eyes") as
Meatloaf headlines! All this plus close-up magic before the show starts
and during the interval. Date: Wednesday October 18th. Venue: Baggeridge
Social Club, Lower Gornal, West Midlands. Time: 7.30pm. Tickets: £5.00
each available from Chris Congreave
mail@christophercongreave.co.uk Telephone: 01902 631286. Mobile: 07940
724294. 23.9.06
Charles Gauci
presents his Reputation Makers II lecture at The House of Magic School
of Wizardry, Stourbridge on Wednesday evening September 27th 2006.
"Charles is the creator of some of magic's best selling effects including,
Eye to Eye, Body Language, Nostradamus, The Houdini Deck Mystery,
Numerology, Believe it or Not, The Diabolical Wallet, Destination Unknown,
15 Minutes No Mnemonic Memorized Deck System, Winner Takes All and Mystic
Vibrations. In this 2½ hour feature packed lecture Charles will
demonstrate and explain effects from his professional act which you can
perform close-up or on stage. This is practical commercial magic that is
easy to perform and you will use." For further information contact The
House of Magic (UK) on 01384 373209, places are limited. Also see
What's On for details and other lecture
tour dates. 23.9.06
Think
Like a Maths Genius: The Art of Calculating in Your Head by Arthur
Benjamin and Michael Shermer. From the Publishers: "From two renowned
mathematical geniuses, a professor and a columnist for 'Scientific
American', comes an accessible guide to mentally calculating maths at
lightning speed and amazing ease. All the secrets of easy mental
arithmetic are revealed, and the secrets to incredible memorisation and
other feats of mind, making it easy to perform maths tricks for the real
world: from calculating restaurant tips to working out gambling odds."
We've been sent a pre-publication copy of this book and can reveal that
within its pages you'll find some seriously clever content, ripe for use
within a mind magic type performance (formal or off-the-cuff). In fact
you'll find a dedicated chapter entitled "Presto-digit-ation" for
magicians towards the end of the book. But every page will make you think.
For mentalists who have "seen it all before" this book will seem as fresh
as the first ever magic set you had as a child. Highly recommended. 304 pages,
published by Souvenir Press Ltd (19th October 2006), with a forward by
James Randi. To pre-order from Amazon.co.uk with 34% off
Click Here. 23.9.06
Prestidigital
Issue 3 - Crazy Horse Special. Issue 3 of Prestidigital, the world's
first magazine for magicians on DVD, was be released at the IBM Eastbourne
convention this week. "It's a Crazy Horse special and features extended
interviews with Vik & Fabrini and Gaetan Bloom as well as Kevin James
talking about his Crazy Horse experience. Also included: exclusive
backstage access to the world's most famous cabaret venue and an interview
with Polly Underground on the history of the night club as well as a
guided tour by Vik & Fabrini. There's a report filmed at the recent FISM
and the usual 'Mystery Theatre' section where you can learn an effect by
Paul Gordon. If you pop the DVD into your PC then you also have access to
classic magic archives, ebooks, galleries and more." For more information
visit
www.prestidigital.tv. 23.9.06
Leamington
and Warwick Magic Society is pleased to announce further additions to
their Midlands Day of Magic on Sunday, 1st October 2006: "Paul Kybert
(photo) has agreed to compere the day and brilliant teenage magician Ollie
Mealing will be in the close-up gala. Micro Magic have been added to the
dealers. Also lecturing are Charles Gauci, Sean Haydon and Kevin
Gallagher." The venue is the Cubbington Sports and Social Club, Windmill
Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 7LN (Map)
and doors open at 10am. Tickets are £10 pre-booked or £15 on the day.
Further information from Ivor Williamson telephone: 02476 462701 email:
ivor@williamson4.wanadoo.co.uk or visit:
www.dayofmagic.co.uk. 23.9.06
Aura
Satz presents I Am Anagram at Whitechapel Gallery, London, from
20th September - 19th November 2006. "An Anagrammatical Reconfiguration of
Phantom Limb Pain Alleviation, Mirror Boxes, Magic, a Séance, a Ouija
Board, an Exquisite Corpse and Hans Bellmer." Devised under the guidance
of neuroscientists Prof. Chris Frith and Prof. Jonathan Cole, in
collaboration with illusionist Scott Penrose. There will be guided
demonstrative performances on 26th October 7-9pm and 18th November 2-5pm.
See www.iamanagram.com
and
www.whitechapel.org for updates. "I am Anagram is an interactive
performative sculptural installation, a complex kaleidoscopic mirror box
of sorts, which audience members are guided through and into one by one." 23.9.06
An
Audience with Paul Daniels. Paul Daniels will be appearing at Chicago
Rock Cafe Chester-Le-Street on Monday 16th October. Live on stage from
8pm. To book call Clair on 0191 3875012. 23.9.06
A
Healthy Dose of Fun and Laughter. Award winning magician and
children's entertainer Tricky Ricky celebrates his 10th anniversary working
at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. It was in 1996 that
Ricky decided to become a full time professional entertainer when
charitable organisations POD
www.podcharity.org.uk and the Sick Children's Friends Foundation
www.edinburghsickkids.org asked him to provide his magic 'n' fun show
fortnightly at the hospital. From a magic show in the ward's playroom to
close-up magic at a child's bedside to performances for teenage patients
or even magic workshops, Ricky's magic has delighted thousands over the
years. Happy Anniversary Tricky Ricky!
www.trickyricky.com. 23.9.06
Brian Mills (Brioni). From David Brandwood: "I am sorry to announce that Brian Mills (Brioni) of Magic Bricks / Brian and Jane, sadly passed away today [Wednesday 20th September]. Brain has been a magician for many years mostly as a children's entertainer, but he also performed close up and stage magic for adult audiences both in the UK and abroad. Brian loved magic and was very dedicated to the art in every way." 23.9.06
Bolton Magicians' Club are currently in the process of putting together next year's calendar of events. The club plans to present an extensive range of lectures by magicians from around the North West, as well as nationwide. Contact Steve Owen steveowen@blueyonder.co.uk if you'd be interested in lecturing for the club. 23.9.06
"Magician says it takes more than magic to make a living" Click Here • "The Hildreds will look magical" Click Here • www.networkofmagic.co.uk is a new UK based magic forum • Last call for Tony Griffith's Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-in Day at his home in Bristol on Sunday 15th October - see What's On for details • "Master passes on a few tricks of the trade" Click Here • "Magic, Metaphysics and Even Mr. Potato Head" Click Here • That's it for this week, see you next week, Duncan. 23.9.06