Number 407 - 12th April 2008
An
Evening with James Randi and Friends - London, April 19th. The
Skeptic magazine and Skeptics in the Pub present a rare opportunity to share an
evening with James Randi and his associates in an evening of discussion
about science, pseudoscience, skepticism and the paranormal. Scheduled
speakers: Prof. Richard Wiseman; Psychologist, University of
Hertfordshire. Prof. Chris French; Psychologist, APRU, Goldsmiths,
University of London. Dr Simon Singh; author, journalist and TV producer.
Dr Ben Goldacre; award winning writer, broadcaster, and medical doctor. Dr
Susan Blackmore; freelance writer, lecturer and broadcaster. James Randi;
skeptic and magician. Tickets cost £11 (standard), £5.50 (concessions:
students & OAPs). Doors open at 6pm, close at 6.30pm and the event is
scheduled to end at approximately 9.30pm Date: Saturday 19th April 2008.
Venue: Conway Hall, London WC1. More info:
www.skeptic.org.uk/randi.
12.4.08
Southern
England Magic Convention updates. More performers have just been added
to the line up which now includes J C Sum (photo), Ning, El Loco (a trip
to the dentist will never be the same again!), James Fortune, Mel Mellers,
Mike Danata, James More and Roy Charles - with more name being added all
the time. Visit:
www.semagicconvention.com for the latest.
12.4.08
Merlin
Magical Society Dealers Showcase. Saturday 26th April, 9am - 5.30pm,
entrance £10.00 (or £8.00 in advance - see website) Potters Bar United
Reform Church, Tilbury Hall, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6
1BZ (Map).
With 12 dealers and demonstrations throughout the day, plus a couple of
small lectures including a special lecture by Keith Bennett.
www.merlinmagicalsociety.co.uk.
12.4.08
Magic
to Cry For. Standnotamazed present ‘Magic to Cry For’ at Bethnal Green
Working Men’s Club on Thursday 24th April at 7.30pm. "A delectable evening
of sophisticated cabaret from London’s most refined creators of
contemporary magic. With… 'The Hat, The Rings, The Rope' The Date & The
Tango Starring Maya Politaki, Lucy Cullingford and Filippos Kanakaris,
Plus special guest artists… Richard McDougall 'The highlight of the
evening...slick and genuinely funny' London Evening Standard. Ian Marchant
'The Gentleman Juggler' Piff the Magic Dragon 'Last month he proposed live
on stage' Plus... Dancing til late as the night continues with the coolest
sounds direct from London’s world famous Pigalle Club!" Bethnal Green
Working Men’s Club, 42 Pollard Row, London E2 6NB. Tickets £8.00 (or £5.00
for concessions / skilful dressing). Doors 7.30pm, Show 8.30pm. To
purchase tickets
Click Here
and purchase them at the concessionary rate of £5.00 each, then quote
‘MagicWeek Offer’ when you arrive on the night.
12.4.08
Michael
Vincent is presenting his new lecture 'The Poetry of Conjuring' for
International Magic in London on Tuesday 22nd April at their usual venue:
Casa Italiana, 136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL (Map).
Those interested in attending should email or phone Martin
martin@internationalmagic.com (020 7405 7324). Doors open 7.15pm for a
prompt 7.30pm start. The evening finishes at around 9.30pm and costs
£10 per person.
12.4.08
Gary
Cardura lectures at the Merlin Magical Society at 8pm on April 17th at
Little Heath Parish Hall, Thornton Road, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1JJ. The
entry fee is £5.00. For details contact John Clayton on 07931 525399.
www.merlinmagicalsociety.co.uk.
12.4.08
Tom
Brass wins Edinburgh Magic Circle's Sonny Day Close Up Magic Award.
Tom faced stiff opposition to deservedly win this coveted trophy on Monday
March 31st with his very slick coin manipulations.
12.4.08
Michael
Vincent appeared on Five's Extraordinary People on Wednesday in
a programme entitled "The Human Camera" featuring the extraordinary art of
Stephen
Wiltshire. Stephen has been hailed as one of the world's brilliant
young artists - the programme followed his efforts as he attempted to
recreate a panorama of the London skyline. (Take a look at his website and
video clips - quite incredible)
12.4.08
Congratulations
to Will Gray on being awarded 'Associate of The Inner Magic Circle
with Silver Star' at The Magic Circle April 7th. Will is now lecturing
around the country with his new 'Magic with a Capital E' lecture. For
details and to book visit
www.willgray.co.uk.
12.4.08
Congratulations
to Alex Moffat on two recent wins. First the Leicester Magic Circle
Close-up Competition in March, and then last weekend the Northern Magic
Circle's Close-up Competition. After his Leicester Magic Circle success,
Alex was invited to appear on local ITV.
www.alexmoffat.co.uk.
12.4.08
Sean
Alexander, Magic Singh and Daniel Reed have just returned to the UK
after spending four weeks in Dubai, performing at the 5 Star
Kempinski Hotel.
Whilst there, they were featured in the local press and were specifically
asked to perform for Audi. Their stay in Dubai was a huge success with the
senior management commenting on how much of an impression they had made
and stating that they were the best magicians they had ever had!
www.magicsingh.co.uk
www.seanalexandermagic.com.
12.4.08
International
News: An international Magic Auction will take place on May 11th, 2008
featuring antique magic sets, ventriloquist dummies, posters and oil
paintings, stage illusions, tricks and utilities. The auction will take
place live in Degersheim, Switzerland and starts at 8.15pm (GMT). For
online bidding sign up with LiveAuctioneers.com. More lots are being added all the time. Visit
www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/15390. For more information contact
Andre Waskow, Weierwiesstr.8, Ch-9113 Degersheim, Switzerland. Tel: 0041
(71) 370 03 05
www.swiss-illusion.ch.
12.4.08
Steve Gore
was just pipped to the post by Alex Moffat (above) at
the recent Northern Magic Circle Close-up Competition. Steve's new
close-up act featured lots of magic and words beginning with the letter
T... Time Travel, Teleportation and even a produced Cup of Tea (what a
refreshing act). He also came third in the stage competition with a new
comedy stage act featuring Patch the Magic Pooch! Steve on YouTube,
Click
Here. "Magician Steve aims to pull title out of hat"
Click Here.
www.stevegore.co.uk.
12.4.08
Mark
Elsdon presents "Tricks You Might Actually Do!" - a lecture from the
inventive mind of Mark Elsdon on Thursday 17th April at the Home Counties
Magical Society. Trick credits include: The one with the Trivial
Pursuit cards, Zenner Tech, The Mind Spy Pad, Google Whacked, The
Riser Deck, Chaos 2, and Before I Forget. The lecture will
include card magic, close-up magic, mentalism and bar bets. Mark on
YouTube:
Click
Here. Visit
www.hcms.org.uk for
full details, together with information on his upcoming Rubik Remembered
Seminar.
12.4.08
Alex
Fisher (AKA The Dusken Traveller) has been seen recently at
Manchester's Hellfire Club which is constantly sold out, and Andrew
Normansell can be seen there on May 1st. Visit
www.hellfireclubs.com for details of upcoming evenings.
12.4.08
Cardiff
Magical Society's Cabaret Competition 2008 was won for the third time
last week by Jasper Blakeley MMC. Jasper, who for a change chose to
perform as himself and not as his alter ego Kockov, entertained the
audience with his version of the classic 'bullet catch'. It was a hard
fought competition, as, amongst others, it included two previous winners
of the award.
www.jasperblakeley.co.uk.
12.4.08
Jonathan
Cann has been elected president of the South Downs Magicians for a
second time. It is the first time in the club's 26 year history that a
magician has held the top position for more than one term. Jonathan was
previously president of the South Downs Magicians from 2004 to 2007. He
replaces Alan Newland. Photo: The passing-on of the presidential chain of
office and cup for the South Downs Magicians from Alan Newland (left) to
Jonathan Cann.
www.southdownsmagicians.co.uk.
12.4.08
Tim
Smithies (co-editor of Prestidigital DVD Magazine for Magicians) recently
entertained Phil Tufnel, Michael Greco, Simon Trumper and many other
players and VIP guests at the UK’s Largest Pub Poker Event held at Dusk
Till Dawn in Nottingham. “Performing in the High Roller suite and around
the tables at Europe's Premier Poker venue was an interesting place to do
card magic – although they wouldn’t let me deal in the tournament!” said
Tim. The event was a great success with the final having 248 players from
a total of 20,000 who entered! More information can be found on
www.redtoothpoker.com – Prestidigital, the original and best DVD magazine
for magicians, can be found at:
www.prestidigital.tv.
12.4.08
Close-up
Magicians Wanted! Ashley Turner (AKA The Table Top Trixta) is looking
for close-up restaurant workers who for the Milton Keynes and Northampton
area to cover some restaurant work throughout the year (very nice/fun
place). Email Ashley
uk.ashley@gmail.com with some information about yourself and your
performing history.
www.thetabletoptrixta.co.uk.
12.4.08
Steve
Evans lectures at the Bolton Magicians' Club on Wednesday 16th April
at the Doffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton. Steve is a professional
comedy magician who entertains adults and children alike. 8.30pm, all magicians and visitors welcome.
www.bolton-magic.co.uk.
12.4.08
Tony Griffith is holding another Creative Magic Lecture/Teach In day, at his home in Bristol on Sunday 2nd November. Areas covered include Close-up Magic, Trade Shows, After Dinner Speaking/Entertainment, Organising a One Man Show, Promotion, Publicity and Organisation. For full details email: tony@tonygriffith.co.uk. 12.4.08
Diamond Jim makes his Scottish debut! As well as teaching new material, Diamond Jim Tyler will be teaching magic from his award winning book/DVD A Pocket Full of Miracles at 2pm on Sunday 4th May at the Walton Suite, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow. Tickets for visiting magicians are £10.00 each. Contact Club Secretary Brendan Kirk sca_secretary@fsmail.net 01355 238746 to book. www.scottishconjurersassociation.org.uk. 12.4.08
The Magic Woods are once again asking for votes for nominees in 'The Magic Woods Awards' for 2008. Visit www.themagicwoods.co.uk for details and to vote. 12.4.08
World Magic Shop are now open on Saturdays from 10am - 3pm and are also now taking bookings from magic clubs for their Dealer Dems - email costas@worldmagicshop.co.uk for details. www.worldmagicshop.co.uk. 12.4.08
Happy Birthday Paul! Paul Daniels celebrated his 70th birthday on April 6th, and also celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary with Debbie in the same week. "TV hopeful’s spellbound by North star" Click Here . 12.4.08
Davenports in Devon. Roy Davenport presents a Davenports Dealer Dem on Thursday 24th April at 8pm at the Exonian Magical Society, Wat Tyler House, King William Street, Exeter, Devon EX4 6PD (Map). Visiting magicians welcome - no charge. For more information contact Brian Marr 01823 665998. www.davenportsmagic.co.uk. 12.4.08
Ron Gilbert. Very sad to report that magician and magic dealer Ron Gilbert died on Friday 28th March 2008. 12.4.08
Costa
Magica - Magic Moments! Last week we took a cruise (holiday -
not work) aboard the
Costa Magica in the Mediterranean and saw some excellent guest performers including the incredible
Duo Deltai (didn't catch them at the midnight buffet!). On the
second to last evening the ship presented its own in-house production
"Magic Moments" that featured a talented cast of 14 and included lots of
large-scale well designed illusions, but not a magician in sight! So,
despite the excellent production values (Connie
Boyd was the magic consultant), the magic was simply lost. Shame, but
still a fun show overall and a great holiday (a day trip to Pompeii being my favourite
bit!). I daren't tell you how many emails I had to try and get through on
our return... now you know why MagicWeek was early last week and late this week.
All back to normal next week! See you then, Duncan.
12.4.08