Number 405 - 29th March 2008
48th
Bristol Day of Magic - Sunday May 4th. The Bristol Society’s 48th
convention once again takes place at the excellent Winter Gardens and
Playhouse Theatre complex in Weston Super Mare. The final touches have been made
to the line-up on Sunday May 4th with John Lenahan now booked to compere
the All Star International Gala show featuring Juliana Chen (photo), Stephen
Bargatze, Brando and Silvana, Antje Pod and UK acts Paul Dabek and Mike
O’Brien. Featured magicians this year are Stephen Bargatze from the USA
and, in contrast, the unique card magic of Lennart Green from Sweden. Both
will be giving lectures and presenting close-up sessions together with Mike O’Brien
doubling in the close-up as well. Mindreader Marc Paul features in the
popular mid-day ‘One Man show’ spot and a special ‘Meet and Greet the
Star’ session for all young magicians presents an opportunity for
youngsters to talk to the big names of the day. Mark Leveridge will be
lecturing on 'how to improve those kid show profits' with the opening
lecture in the morning. Meals and refreshments are available all day, and
the sea is only yards away – especially if the tide is in! All this plus
25 magic dealers. A perfect bank holiday Sunday is in store – and no work
the next day! Registration forms can be downloaded from
www.bristolmagic.co.uk or call Andy Mac 0117 9422449 for a form.
29.3.08
British
Ring Convention, Eastbourne, September 2008. Jeff Hobson, Claudis
Specht, Nick Lewin, Guy Hollingworth, Tony Chapek, Raymond Crowe, Kalin &
Jinger, Gene Anderson, Bill Herz, Michael Finney, Oscar Munoz, Geoffrey
Durham, Nicholas Einhorn, Richard McDougall, Jim Steinmeyer, Levent,
Michael Close, Juan Tamariz and Mike Bent are just some of the star names
announced for the 72nd Annual Convention of The International Brotherhood
of Magicians British Ring No. 25 which will be held in Eastbourne from
24th-28th September 2008. And already over 300 magicians have registered -
a new record for advance registrations. This really is an amazing line-up -
for more details and to book visit
www.britishring.org.uk.
29.3.08
Associated Wizards of the South Magic Convention
- Sunday April 6th. David Forest and Liam Montier, two of the magic
men from the Big Blind Media stable, have just confirmed that they will be
giving lectures in the afternoon. There will also be a Balloon
workshop from Playtime Balloons (AWS members wish Mike Stokes a speedy
recovery). Other highlights include lectures from Mark Worgan and Paul
Gordon, an excellent selection of dealers including Alakazam, Big Blind
Media, The Card Collection, Magic Books by Post, Mark Worgan, Merchant of
Magic, Paul Gordon, Playtime Balloons, Ron Gilbert, Wayne Dobson, and
Zane's Magic Shop, and an evening show starring Romany, Mark Worgan, Zane
and current Young Magician of the Year winner Ben Hart. For full details
visit:
www.awsmagic.co.uk. For
tickets and more information contact Geoff Gould on 02380 844677 or 07773
991353. Anyone joining the
Big Blind Media
mail list on their stand, and saying the magic words "Cor blimey - I
love MagicWeek" (BBM's choice of words - not mine!) can
collect a special free DVD!
29.3.08
'Save our Shows in Covent Garden'
- online petition..."Juggling with
the future. The new owners of Covent Garden Market want to reduce the
number of buskers and street performers. But performers have started a
campaign to reverse these plans." Writes Nick Tarry for BBC News
Click
Here. "Buskers challenge Covent Garden over imperfect pitch"
Click Here. "Buskers fear 'thin end of wedge'"
Click Here. "Soprano's protest song for buskers in Covent Garden"
Click Here. To show your support for the street performers in Covent
Garden please spare a minute to sign their online petition at
www.petitiononline.com/soscovnt/petition.html.
29.3.08
TrickDownload.com
are now advertising on MagicWeek. The company offer instant magic
downloads in the following categories: Card Tricks, Levitations, Mental
Magic and Stage Tricks. Visit
www.trickdownload.com today!
29.3.08
David
Berglas Award to Terry Herbert. At the recent Annual Dinner of The
British Magical Society The David Berglas Award was presented to
Terry Herbert "For Services to Magic and Performing Ability" by their
President John Price.
29.3.08
Bloomsbury
Auctions London - Bibliophile Sale including Conjuring and Magic.
"Bloomsbury’s Bibliophile sale (3rd April), is particularly noteworthy for
its strong Conjuring section. Last year Bloomsbury had a whole sale
dedicated to Magic books which attracted magicians from all over the
country; the wires were humming with bids from the United States and
Europe... It is the Conjuring Books, Periodicals, Catalogues, Memorabilia,
Posters and Apparatus from the world of Magic which will set pulses racing
amongst the aficionados. Many are from the collection of the late John
Salisse CBE" Thursday 3rd April at Bloomsbury Auctions, 24 Maddox Street,
London W1S 1PP. Telephone 020 7495 9494 or contact
www.bloomsburyauctions.com for a catalogue which costs £7. The
catalogue can also be viewed online.
29.3.08
Chris
Hare lecture. Chris Hare is presenting his Harebrain Mentalism Lecture
on Thursday April 10th, for The Sussex Magic Circle, Southover Grange,
Southover Road, Lewes BN7 1TP (Map).
Contact
gordonburtenshaw@btconnect.com for details. No doubt the lecture will
include hints and tips for his recently released
Birthday Detector routine. Ideal for
professional who thrives under difficult
close-quarter conditions, and enjoys hearing those magic words "no way!"
To book Chris Hare's lecture for your club contact Chris directly: 01784
453192.
29.3.08
Cardiff
Magical Society Annual Dinner 2008. "Following on from the great
success of our 2007 dinner, we are proud to present another amazing event
this year on 19th April 2008 at the Novotel, Cardiff. We have arranged a
Welsh themed menu to suit everyone, and some fantastic entertainment for
you. None other than the internationally acclaimed Michael Vincent will
provide close-up magic during the meal, with the after dinner cabaret
featuring master manipulator Jonathan Shotton and top illusion act Martyn
James & Co. Our compere for the show will be top Welsh comedian and past
CMS member Rod Woodward. Numbers are limited so please secure your tickets
as soon as possible. At just £32.50 each this is a really good deal.
Special rates have been negotiated with the hotel (and there is an Etap
just over the road) for those wishing to make a weekend of it. Especially
as the following day sees Michael Vincent present his lecture (£10 for non
CMS members). 7pm for 7.30pm on Saturday 19th April at the Novotel,
Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4RT. Dress code: Formal (Dinner/Lounge suit
for the gentlemen). See our website
www.cardiffmagic.org.uk for
menu details. To book please contact Viv Davies on 02920 792789."
29.3.08
MagiciansBookshelf.com have three new books
on offer and are
launching a new downloadable brochure service for magicians too. Visit the
website for details of their special offers and the new service:
www.magiciansbookshelf.com.
29.3.08
Children's
entertainer Poz will be lecturing at the AWS in Southampton on Tuesday
April 1st. As always all magicians are welcome and non members are only
charged £5 on the door. Contact Phil on 07739 407147.
29.3.08
Magician
and Illusionist Scott Pepper has just returned from a two-week cruise
on board the P&O Artemis, performing his stage show for the passengers.
The trip got off to a rocky start due to the bad weather at the beginning
of March, and after just 24 hours at sea the ship had to dock in Cornwall
for storm damage repairs... but the Artemis made it across the Atlantic to
the beautiful islands of the Caribbean. Also onboard magician and
illusion act Van Buren and Comedy.
29.3.08
Johnny Fantastica, President of Society of World Deaf Magicians will be
attending their 12th Bi-Annual World Deaf Magic Conference in Los Angeles
on 4th April to 13th April. 90 deaf magicians representing 20 Countries
will take part in the World
Deaf Magic Championships, comprising: Stage, Illusions, Comedy, Close-up, Ladies
and Children. Johnny was Champion in 1998 in the Illusions and Stage sections.
The finalists will perform in front of 3,000 spectators. After the week long conference, Johnny and some officials
from the society
will travel to Las Vegas to meet David Copperfield and Lance Burton.
mail@fantastica.freeserve.co.uk.
29.3.08
Big
Blind Media present The Wicked World of Liam Montier Volume 1 & 2.
"Enter the twisted yet brilliant mind of Liam Montier. Famed for his
inventive and ingenious solutions to every magical plot he tackles, this
respected practitioner has a magical effect for every situation! Like some
crackpot inventor, Liam is renowned for his ability to take any object at
hand and construct a fantastic routine around it. Across the two volumes
of ‘The Wicked World’, you’ll find material using everything from cards,
coins, bubblewrap, bank statements and lollipops to corks, business cards,
socks and string – you name it, Liam will use it!" To watch the trailer
Click Here. To order visit
www.bigblindmedia.com.
29.3.08
North
West Magic Mart. The Order of the Magi (Manchester) are holding their
second North West Magic Mart on Saturday 19th April at The Irish World
Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Manchester from 10am to 3pm. There are just
a few stalls left at £10 each. They must be booked in advance using the
form on:
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk, or by telephoning Secretary Mike Sharples
0161 287 7865 or President Geoffrey Newton 0161 969 8222 (Strictly no
stalls issued on the day). There is plenty of parking, a licensed bar,
snacks and a large new shopping centre next door. Buyers admission only
£2.00, and there's a grand raffle for a ‘Magic’ Hamper as well!
29.3.08
Hull
Magicians' Circle Arthur Setterington Junior Close-up Competition 2008.
Richard Morrell and Jon Marshall report: Young Jack Gleadow added to his
already impressive list of achievements by winning the Arthur Setterington
Junior Close-up Competition 2008 at Hull Magicians’ Circle last week. And
not an elastic band in sight! Arthur was a close-up magic devotee and
enjoyed working with young magicians. Joe Harper was an excellent compere.
Competitors were Sam Tasker with his novel routine – A Silent “P” – you
have to see it! David Hoyes’ produced washers and transferred their holes.
Alex Pawinski had an unusual routine with a paper doll and card box with
Sawing in Halves theme. Winner, Jack Gleadow has great audience appeal.
After a Jay Ose Lie Detector routine he vanished a borrowed finger
ring. If you are selecting material, good advice is always to use the best
and Jack combined published ideas from John Archer, Andy Nyman and Angelo
Carbone in a comedy mental routine that culminated in the return of the
ring. Judges were all the members of Hull Magicians’ Circle, and the
presentation was made by HMC President, Eddie Dawes and Elsie
Setterington.
www.magician.org.uk/hmc.
29.3.08
Quentin Reynolds
lectures at the Bolton Magicians Club at 8.30pm on
Wednesday 2nd April at the Doffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton. "How
to double the reaction to the show you already do without having to add
any extra tricks. Using examples from his own shows, Quentin Reynolds will
show you how to take the tricks you currently perform and dramatically
increase your audience response. Quentin has lectured at FISM, the World
Magic Seminar in Las Vegas as well as at dozens of clubs and conventions
throughout the UK and Ireland." Visitors welcome.
For further details visit
www.bolton-magic.co.uk.
29.3.08
Wolverhampton
Close-up Winner. The Close-up Competition held by Wolverhampton Circle
of Magicians at their new Headquarters, Wolverhampton West End Working
Men's Club on Merridale Street West, on Wednesday, 19th March, was won by
John Anthony. He was presented with the Tom Laws Plate by President, David
Oakley before a large number of members and friends.
29.3.08
Dates for Steve Beam's lecture tour of the UK in May 2009 are rapidly disappearing! Magic Clubs interested in taking Steve's lecture are advised to contact Tony Griffith as soon as possible to avoid disappointment: 01275 835463 tony@tonygriffith.co.uk. 29.3.08
New magic club opens in Crawley, Sussex. The Crawley Magicians Club had its first meeting last week at the Broadfield Community Centre, Broadfield, Crawley. The club plans to charge £5.00 per meeting, plus an annual membership fee of £10.00 for those wishing to join to help fund a lending library, lecturer fees, and to cover the cost of venue hire. Visit their website for information: www.thecrawleymagiciansclub.co.uk. 29.3.08
The Scottish Super Magic Auction takes place tomorrow, Sunday 30th March in the Perth Ex-Servicemen's Club starting at 1pm. There is already a large selection of magic entered for sale but items will be accepted up to the start of the sale. Auctioneers, Jim Craig and Alaister Cowe are going to have their work cut out, but it will be good fun watching them trying to keep up to schedule! For those who buy too much, they can take comfort from the all day bar which is the cheapest in Perth! Admission is £3 on the door plus 10% commission on all sales. For more information contact Club Secretary, Adrian Harris adrian.harris@blueyonder.co.uk or telephone 01738 628985. 29.3.08
"Death
Defying Acts"
Click Here • "The glad scientist"
Click Here • "Magicians aid Cooper theatre bid"
Click Here • "Comic remembered fondly by city man"
Click Here • Tim Sutton reviews Michael Vincent's latest DVD this
week
Click Here, and Jayne reviews Christopher Congreave's recent Magic
Circle lecture,
Click Here • "Chris conjures up a new life"
Click Here • "Derren Brown’s right kind of magic"
Click Here • Please note: News submissions for next week, Saturday 5th
April, need to be in by no later than 12 noon Wednesday 2nd April. Many
thanks! See you next week, Duncan.
29.3.08