Number 414 - 31st May 2008

 

A Tribute to Siegfried & Roy at the London Palladium on Sunday 28th September 2008. Join celebrities from the world of Magic, Music and the Movies to honour these two true legends of magic in a spectacular show at the world's greatest variety theatre. Starring Jeff Hobson - Host of 'V' the Ultimate Variety Show in Las Vegas, Kalin & Jinger - Stars of the 'Magic Underground', Reno, Soul Mystique - Dance Sport Champions and world class Costume Change Artists from Australia, Jason Byrne - Incredible Bird Act from Switzerland, Vik & Fabrini - Direct from the Crazy Horse in Paris, Luis de Matos - TV Magic Star from Portugal, Tomsoni & Co - Poland's favourite magicians, Ayala & Tanya - Illusionist from Mexico - Winner of the 'Academy of Magical Arts Stage Magician of the Year', Norm Nielsen - Musical Magic from Las Vegas, Raymond Crowe - Star of the 2007 Royal Variety Show from Australia and Wally Eastwood - 'The man with the fastest hands on earth' from Las Vegas. A message from Siegfried & Roy: "We are delighted to be the honoured guests at the official launch event for MagiCares The Magic Charity at the London Palladium Theatre on 28th September, and we look forward to meeting our many friends from the UK and Europe"

 

The exciting news is that after a year of planning, the official launch of MagiCares The Magic Charity, will take place at the world famous London Palladium on Sunday 28th September. This show is dedicated to two true legends of magic, 'Masters of the Impossible', Siegfried & Roy. MagiCares founder, Paul Stone, had this to say .. "After a considerable amount of hard work over the past 12 months, and thanks to the support of many friends from the world of magic, most notably Diana Zimmerman and Peter Reveen, we've achieved our first objective, making the MagiCares dream a reality. Our first two launch events, at the London Palladium Theatre on Sunday September 28th, and the Gala Charity Fundraising Dinner & Cabaret at the Landmark Hotel on Wednesday 1st October, will provide us with the perfect platform to start making a real difference to the lives of many suffering hardship for whatever reason. With the support of magicians worldwide, together we can raise vital funds that will literally transform people's lives. It surely doesn't get any better than that!"

 

The second major MagiCares launch event will be a Gala Charity Fundraising Dinner & Cabaret at the 5 Star Landmark Hotel in London on Wednesday 1st October 2008. This will be an exclusive event for just 200 guests and will once again be honouring 'Masters of the Impossible' Siegfried & Roy. The Guest of Honour will be H.R.H Princess Michael of Kent. There will be a short 'live' Auction with several very unique items to bid on. Funds raised will benefit MagiCares and Siegfried & Roy's SARMOTI foundation. The world class Cabaret will feature Stringfever, The Randols and Kris Kremo with dancing to The Overtures.

 

SPECIAL ONE-TIME ONLY PRE-SALE TICKET OFFER Tickets will go on general sale on 20th June 2008 but you can take advantage of a special pre-sale ticket offer available exclusively to magicians from 1st June 2008, visit the official website for details and to book: www.magicares.com. 31.5.08

 

Leamington Day of Magic, Wednesday June 25th. The Leamington & Warwick Magic Society present their annual 'Day of Magic' on Wednesday 25th June due to requests from many working professionals. There will be a full day of events, including two brand new lectures from close-up magicians, David Penn and Andrew Murray (photo). The day will also feature workshops on balloons, ventriloquism, Cups & Balls, elastic bands, cards and coin work. Dealers booked so far include Merlins Magic, Andrew Normansell, Keith Bennett, Made to Measure Magic, Kaymar and Adrian Sullivan. 10am - 6pm, Leamington & Warwick Magic Society, Cubbington Sports & Social Club, Windmill Hill, Cubbington, Leamington Spa CV32 7LN (Map) Tickets are £15 and include a mid afternoon buffet. Cheques should be made payable to 'Leamington & Warwick Magic Society' and sent c/o Mr M McCreath, 242 Lutterworth Road, Nuneaton CV11 6PG www.dayofmagic.co.uk. 31.5.08

 

Northern Magic Circle Junior Day of Magic. On Saturday 28th June, St Wilfred's Church Hall in Harrogate once again will play host to the Northern Magic Circle Junior Day of Magic. This fun packed day will include open Stage and Close-up competitions, workshops, a magical quiz, dealers and a Mini Gala show. It's an all-day event and the ticket price includes both lunch and an evening buffet. Although billed as a Junior day, there will be plenty to entertain adults, so why not make it a day out, you might be pleasantly surprised! There will be plenty to entertain. Manipulation is the basis of a hands-on workshop from Stuart Brown and Allan Clarke will run a session on practical close-up magic. There will be a Circus Skills workshop by Michael Jordan and the talk 'From little acorns to minor miracles' with Brian Lead. The Junior Stage and Close-up competitions are open to all young magicians between the ages of 11 and 16 years and non-members are very welcome to enter. Stage competitors will be competing for the Phyllis Davison Shield and Close-up entrants compete for the Johnny Neptune Trophy. Acts should be between 8 and 10 minutes. As well as dealers, Cliff Lount from the Bradford Magic Studio and Kaymar Magic, there will also be a sale of Props, Books and Magazines in aid of the Junior Section funds. A Mini Gala show will complete the day's entertainment, with a show called 'Past, Present and Future' featuring an all female cast with Su Jayne, Kirstie Russell, Leah Mae and Sara Jade. Saturday 28th June, doors open at 10am, St Wilfred's Church Hall, Duchy Road, Harrogate HG1 2EZ (Map). Advance tickets for the day are priced at £12.50 and 'Evening Only' tickets are £6.00. For full details and registration forms, contact Cynthia Neptune on 0191 2529151 or email allan.clarke@northernmagiccircle.org.uk www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk. 31.5.08

 

FastTricks.com, the new online magic video download centre, is now open for business: "With hundreds of hi resolution tutorial videos now available for instant download. Featuring sections covering all aspects of magic, in all skill levels, just the false shuffles section alone features over 30 methods! New and exclusive effects such as this week's feature trick 'MP3' - make your iPod play a thought of song while the spectator is holding it! Check out the free preview videos online now. Downloaded video files will play on any computer worldwide with prices starting at just $1.00 (about 50p). All of the tricks and moves are taught by leading professionals. The site is updated regularly with an average of 50 new videos uploaded each month. If you have invented an original trick and would like to sell it on fast tricks then visit the site to see how." Visit www.fasttricks.com. 31.5.08

 

Magic Survey: The impact of the Web on the art of magic. Paul Younghusband emails: "I am conducting a bit of research into the effect of the web on the art of magic. As part of this I have put together a little survey and am trying to get as many magicians as possible to fill it out. All of the information is anonymous, and the whole thing will probably only take about 5-7 minutes to complete. I would like people to be as honest as possible, as no personally identifiable information is collected - I have no way of knowing who anyone is! It is my intention to compile the results and publish them for all to see. I think it will be very interesting to get some actual real numbers associated with some of the questions posed." Click Here to take part in this fascinating survey. We'll link to the results when they are released. 31.5.08

 

Derren Brown: Trick or Treat series two draws to a close on Friday evening. Again Derren and his team boldly ventured where no mere mind reader has dared venture before. Great stuff, and out on DVD soon I would imagine. See TV Magic. Derren's run in the West End is drawing to a close also, see What's On for details. 31.5.08

 

MagicTricks.tv is a free YouTube indexing site just for magic videos - just launched by MagicTricks.co.uk. MagicTricks.co.uk have arranged over 1,000 YouTube magic videos under easily accessible magic categories... "With loads of fantastic videos on the site, it allows you to watch only the best quality magic for every different genre of magic. The other brilliant feature of magictricks.tv is it has its own member community. You can sign up to become a member absolutely free, which means you can upload your own magic video or index your favourite YouTube magic video to share with the rest of the world, as well as comment on videos added by others." Visit www.magictricks.tv today! 31.5.08

 

Britain's Got Talent gripped the nation, or at least parts of it, last week, as night after night we were treated to Britain's most self-important, over-produced, poorly shot talent show ever. Britain has got talent... but most of it, fortunately, is either busy working or smart enough to steer well clear of this albeit enjoyable nonsense, where acts battle it out alongside school children, household pets, and middle-aged belly dancers, only to then suffer the indignation of being pulled to pieces by the distinctly untalented Pierce Morgan, the moderately talented Amanda Holden and the clearly talented (but only in his own field) Simon Cowell. Three magic acts got through to the semi finals, but rightly no further. YouTube clips: Click Here. The actual final is tonight at 6.50pm and my money is on the one-legged nine year old with the missing teeth and pet chiwawa... she's got it all.

"Britain's Got Talent: Andrew, Monkeys make final!" Click Here

"Polly Hudson gives her verdict on Britain's Got Talent" Click Here

"Britain's Got Talent - Vizage cause judges to fight" Click Here

"Britain's Got Talent Accused Of Rigging Votes" Click Here. 31.5.08

 

News from JL2Magic.com: "JL2Magic are proud to announce that Wayne Dobson has given his kind permission for us to include his 'Vision' routine as a free download with every purchase of a JL2Magic Himber Twist Wallet. Also included is Lee Thompson's 4 Second Watch Steal routine. Here's the 'Vision' routine: You tell the story of how you have just returned from a gambling holiday in Las Vegas. Your volunteer is invited to gamble at your imaginary casino, where you are going to play roulette, a card game and slot machine all with the power of your imagination. You accurately predict the outcome of the game of roulette, the free choice of a card game and the result of the winning fruit on the slot machine... all revealed written on a handful of dollars bills left over from your Las Vegas holiday." Visit their new-look website that has a number of special offers. Packages are limited - so hurry! www.jl2magic.com (JL2's wallets are fast gaining an excellent reputation for the real quality). 31.5.08

 

Travis Perkins Assembly - Ferrybridge Day of Magic 2008. News from Travis Perkins (currently touring the café bars of Sorrento and Capri). "The morning Lecturette at Ferrybridge will be Grand Masters of Illusion – a new presentation by Danny Hunt and Annette Claire. Also two 28 minute workshops will be held in the Perkins Private Suite - Danny’s Diabolical Dice Stacking (Danny Hunt) and S.O.S. it’s cards!! (Al Smith). The presenter of the afternoon Lecturette will be announced in the next 10 days – after confirmation of contracts, visas and the necessary credit checks!! Sunday 6th July, doors open at 10.00am." For more information contact Michael Shepherd 01904 709500 michaelshepherd@castlemagicalservices.co.uk. 31.5.08

 

Niels and Soren from LabcoMagic.com will be visiting London on June 6th and 7th. If you'd like a demonstration of MindBuster or UFOII simply email sorenharbo@gmail.com and they will then arrange a meeting. www.labcomagic.com. 31.5.08

 

Paul Kieve's book 'Hocus Pocus' featuring an introduction by Daniel Radcliffe, is published on Monday in the USA by Scholastic. It tells the story of a young magician whose collection of old magic posters come to life and combines fiction, fact and 'how-to-do' and has already been named a 'Borders' bookshop and BBC 'Blue Peter' book of the month. David Copperfield has endorsed the US edition writing: 'I wish Hocus Pocus had been around when I was a kid - it's nothing short of inspirational; the perfect gift for anyone who loves illusion and fantasy. I recommend this book wholeheartedly'. Charles Green III reviews the US edition on Amazon "For those in the know, imagine a lighter mix of the following classics in magic, Milbourne Christopher's Illustrated History of Magic, Charles Reynolds' 100 Years of Magic Posters, and Bruce Elliot's Classic Secrets of Magic. Paul has created a fresh classic at the start of the 21st century." See www.hocuspocusbook.com. To purchase the US edition Click Here and the UK edition Click Here. Paul is travelling to Berlin next week to promote the German edition, and lectures at the Berlin Magic Circle on June 6th www.magischer-zirkel-berlin.de. 31.5.08

 

Paul Gordon is presenting three new close-up card magic lectures in 5 days. On Sunday 1st June he'll be at the High Peak Magic Society, Staffordshire, on Tuesday 3rd June at the Watford Association of Magicians and on Thursday 5th June at the Mid Essex Magical Society. Too attend see What's On or contact Paul Gordon directly pgmagic@btinternet.com. Recent 'Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic' photos, Click Here. 31.5.08

 

Congratulations to 16 year old Edward Hilsum. Edward was placed first in the Bexleyheath Society of Magicians Stage Competition on May 7th with his dove act. 31.5.08

 

Huddersfield Circle of Magicians are staging a 'Meet the Presidents' night on Monday 30th June 2008, the event will be held at the Outlane Golf Club, Slack Lane, New Hey Road, Outlane, Huddersfield HD3 3FQ (Map). Maurice Roberts emails: "The Idea of the evening is for each of the surrounding Magical Societies, Circles and Associations to have a table for their President and their guest. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by three professional magicians: Wayne Dobson - Leicester's own magician, Al Conway - One of Yorkshire's finest comedians with a hint of magic and Michael Jordan - Home Grown, from Huddersfield. A Pie, Pea and Potato Supper will be provided at the interval. This year All the Presidents, and their guest will be invited free. Due to huge interest, and only being able to take 100 guests, we have decided this year, to invite on a first come; first served basis, tickets to other society members at £5 per person. We can only accommodate 100 guests, so act soon!" If your society wishes to attend contact: Maurice Roberts (Secretary) 01422 832095 Mobile 07765348335 email: hudds-secretary@hotmail.co.uk. 31.5.08

 

Andrew Jeffrey, Sussex based mentalist and magician, will be performing at the South of England Show at Ardingly Showground on Saturday 7th June. Andrew will be appearing on the East Sussex Time Tunnel Stand at various times throughout the day. Pop along and say hello - Andrew is currently racing against time to recover from a fractured shoulder sustained last Saturday in a football game! www.andrewjeffrey.co.uk. 31.5.08

 

The Annual Tony Richards Memorial Competition at the ACES Magic Society in Lewes was won this last week by Mike Pettitt "a magician with a trick for all occasions!" A very close run competition this year with excellent performances from President Martin Lewis, newcomer to this trophy David Croucher, Stan Reynolds and Peter Bennett. Excellent performances from all and well done to Mike for winning. Reported by Nicky Moon. 31.5.08

 

"Final stage appearance for magic man" Click Here • "Watch conjuring curate in action" Click Here • "Magician turns easy rider" Click Here • Congratulations to Nick Chapman - winner of last week's Big Blind Media lucky DVD draw www.bigblindmedia.com Following mention of the new £2 jumbo magicians coins in MagicWeek on May 17th we have had an email from a magic dealer warning that HM Treasury may take action against anyone selling such coins, referring to the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, Click Here • Steve Cook's Legend: An anecdotal tribute to Ken Brooke is back in stock, email steve.cook243@ntlworld.com for details • Gary Young emails: "Due to current commitments I have been unable to produce my Top Secret Magic Day this year. But all being well I will be producing my 12th day next year. The provisional date is Sunday 7th June 2009. It will be back bigger and better than ever!" • "$250 seats in the cards for Ricky Jay's show" Click Here • "Derren Brown: An Evening of Wonders, Garrick Theatre, London" Click Here • That's it for another week, your UK magic news is always welcome, see you next week, Duncan. 31.5.08

 

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