Number 471 - 4th July 2009
John
Lenahan added to British Ring Southport Convention line-up. "It has
just been confirmed that John Lenahan is joining the long list of
headline magical performers at this year’s British Ring convention in
Southport. John came to Britain in 1984 from his native Philadelphia for
a short trip and has never quite made it back. From an inauspicious
beginning (it was a summer season with Little & Large) John has become a
successful corporate entertainer. He grabbed the headlines in1994 when
he was the first person in 85 years to be expelled from The Magic
Circle..." To read the full article, which includes additional
convention news from IBM PRO Bob Hayden,
Click Here.
4.7.09
Israeli
mentalist Roy Zaltsman made a massive impact when he appeared in the
‘Melange of Mentalists’ show at the Blackpool Magicians’ Convention in
February. He is returning to Blackpool July 21st. The Blackpool lecture
will be held in the Blackpool Magicians’ Club headquarters in Sherbourne
Road at 8pm (doors open at 7pm). As always there is a fully licensed bar
and cafe serving hot food and drinks and the library and magic shop will
be open. In his lecture Roy, who is extremely popular in his native land
with considerable experience in both private and corporate events, will
be explaining some of his own mental effects together with some close-up
ideas. Roy believes strongly in knowledge-sharing and presents his
techniques and ideas openly for the benefit of all. Lectures in
Blackpool are free to all members and associates of the Blackpool
Magicians’ Club; so if you're not a member or associate why not consider
joining. Details of membership and associate membership (which is only
£25.00 a year) can be obtained from the club's website
www.blackpolmagic.com.
4.7.09
Practical
Magic and John Kimmons. Jeremy and Cheryl Le Poidevin of
Practical Magic
are delighted to announce that John Kimmons is joining the company as
advisor and demonstrator. John has already appeared in some of the most
recent video demonstrations on the company's website and will be
demonstrating on the Practical Magic stand at some of the larger
up-coming conventions including Kidology (Tuesday, September 8th), the
British Ring IBM convention (from Wednesday, September 23rd) and the
Blackpool Convention, next February. Practical Magic are also working on
a new puppet routine with John and have hopes of a new DVD. Many of you
will know that John used to work for Supreme Magic Company. Since those
days, he has developed into a busy performer, entertaining family
audiences with his blend of magic and, especially, ventriloquism for
which he is justly famous. John will continue with these shows alongside
his commitment to Practical Magic.
www.practical-magic.com.
4.7.09
Piff-Tacular.
An International Magic Champion in a dragon outfit? Just you wait... One
of the most celebrated and successful magicians on the circuit has
traded tailcoat for dragon costume and called himself Piff. John van der
Put’s new show Piff-Tacular has surprised and enchanted London cabaret
crowds and was a finalist at Hackney Empire’s New Act of the Year
competition. The deadpan dragon will appear at the Edinburgh Festival
from 6th-30th August at 6pm at Laughing Horse @ the Hive. Here are the
Preview dates:
9pm, 10th July – Tristan Bates Theatre – Pay
what you want
8pm, 15th July – Royal Vauxhall Tavern £6
7.30pm, 21st July – Canal Café Theatre £7.50/6.50
5.30pm, 22nd July – Underground Venues, Buxton Fringe Festival £7/6/5
5.30pm, 23rd July – Underground Venues, Buxton Fringe Festival £7/6/5
4pm, 24th July – Underground Venues, Buxton Fringe Festival £7/6/5.
See What's On for Fringe dates and times. 4.7.09
Magic2wear
is the brand new label launched by British illusionist Lee Alex
replacing his well-known 'Magic Waistcoat' site. Magic2wear features many of
the costumes from Lee's "Time for a Change?" quick-change lecture. Lee's
recent UK lecture tour, which included dates for The Magic Circle and
International Magic, enjoyed great success. Lee will be taking the
lecture to the States in the summer, including a two-day event "Focus On
Quick Change" at Jeff McBride's School of Magic and Mystery, where he
has been invited by Jeff to teach students on the subject of quick
change in a hands-on fashion. Magic2wear will also be exhibiting at the
Magic Live convention in Las Vegas where attendees will have a unique
chance to see the costumes at work, including Lee's own gimmick which he
uses in his show called the "Magnas-eam". Many of the items on the
Magic2wear site are at special prices, and more items will be added,
including for the first time costumes for female artistes. Ordering from
Lee directly means that you have constant contact with him during the
process of having your costume made. Lee invites you to have a browse
the new site, sign up to create a wish list, and ask yourself is it
"Time for a Change?". Visit
www.magic2wear.com
today!
4.7.09
The
Final of The Young Magician of the Year Competition takes place at
the Centre for the Magic Arts, Stephenson Way, London, on Sunday 12th
July. Edward Hilsum, Michael Jordan, Megan Knowles-Bacon, David J Marks,
James Milner, Sanjivan Parhar and Carl Scutt will compete for the title
'Young Magician of the Year'. As usual, there are two shows, the first
at 2.30pm, for which tickets are available at £7.00, and the Final at
6pm, for which there are a very limited number of seats left in the
balcony at £15.00 each. Tickets are available from the box office on 020
7387 2222 (9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday).
4.7.09
Magicseen
and Facebook. Magicseen is embracing new technology and now has a
Facebook profile! All magicians and magic fans are invited to join.
Editor Mark Leveridge says: "Anyone who joins will be entered into a
Free Prize Draw to win a copy of 'Masterclass - The first four years'.
This contains over 60 effects from many of the world's leading
magicians!" To join magicseen, simply go to facebook, search for
'magicseen' and become a 'fan'. The facebook profile has different
areas, including 'magicians reading magicseen' and also news from around
the world. Deputy editor Graham Hey has just returned from Singapore
where he witnessed an amazing magic world record... visit the facebook
site today!
4.7.09
Leamington
& Warwick Magic Society Day of Magic, Reported by Elizabeth Warlock.
When the Leamington & Warwick Magic Society held their now annual Day of
Magic on Wednesday June 24 at the Cubbington Sports and Social Club with
its usual mix of lectures covering everything from close-up to stage to
children’s magic from such stars as John Archer and Jon Allen and some
dozen dealers selling their wares, it was good to see the day ending
with the first ever Close-up Competition.
Named the Champion of Champions Close-up Competition the seven competitors comprised champions from various Midlands societies. While there was little difference in the marking with the first three places however it took the talent of Alan Cooper from Coventry to take the first prize of £300 with some eye popping effects like the coin in Bottle, the borrowed note in the Kiwi, and the signed card revealed in a capped bottle full of liquid. Second prize of £100 went to Carl Buck from Leicester who gave us the production of a bottle and glass of liquid, a version of the Ambitious Card combined with the colour changing deck and the torn and restored photo a la card. Craig Petty claiming the third prize of £50 performed some very clever coin and card work with the Coins Across in the spectator’s hands, a card effect combined with torches both of which diminished in size as the effect progressed, and the chosen card produced from a shrink wrapped deck.
Not placed were Graham Sargent (Northampton), George Symes (Birmingham),
Steve Sherrington (Wellingborough) and Stephen Buxton (Leamington). The
whole day was organised and sponsored, including donation of the prize
money and the extra large Cup, by Mick McCreath. Elizabeth Warlock.
4.7.09
Jon
Allen is featured in the July issue of MAGIC magazine. Along with a
four-page article about Jon, there are three effects from his upcoming
book Experience: The Magic of Jon Allen by John Lovick.
www.magicmagazine.com.
4.7.09
Order
of the Magi Auction. The Order of the Magi (Manchester) is holding
their summer auction on Tuesday 14th July at 7.30pm with viewing from
6.30pm. The event takes place at The Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens
Road, Manchester M8 8UF (Map).
For a lot number contact Max Townsend on 07800 618218 or
max.towsend@stockport.gov.uk. "Why not have a clear out and make
some money for yourself or just come along to see if that special
something you are looking for turns up?"
4.7.09
Mark
Worgan Lecture. Mark will be lecturing on "Children's Magic,
Close-up and Comedy Cabaret" at the Thames Valley Magicians Guild,
Highfield Social Club, George Street, Bicester, Oxfordshire OX26 2ED (Map),
on 29th July at 8pm.
www.thamesvalleymagic.com. Visiting magicians £5.00.
4.7.09
International
Illusionist Steve Kovarez has just been signed to appear in the
Billy Pearce Show "Viva Variety" at the Spa Theatre Bridlington for the
summer season. The show runs every Wednesday and Thursday from 15th July
until 10th September (except 6th August). Tickets are £12.50 Adult,
£10.50 OAP, £8.50 Child, £38.00 Family (2 adults, 2 children) with an
additional show at the Spa Theatre Scarborough on September 12th. Steve
will be performing his illusions in the show. For more details telephone
the Spa Theatre Box office on 01262 678258.
4.7.09
Chris
Hare’s Amazing Mental Deal! Announcing two brand new mental effects from Chris
Hare. Watch the video featuring “Where in the World?” and “Where Next?”
on his website right now:
www.harebrainmentalism.com. Chris Hare's Harebrain Mentalism
Lecture is now listed on our
Lecturers page. Chris
is the creator of
Birthday
Detector and the author of
Sensational
Memory and is able to offer your magic club an entertaining
and informative lecture featuring powerful mental effects that can be performed using everyday items. Chris Hare has been a
professional entertainer for over twenty years, during which time he
performed his Hypnotic Show for a year in The Canary Islands, six nights
a week. During the lecture he also teaches people how to increase their
memory, more than, perhaps, they could ever possibly imagine. Contact
Chris on 01784 453192 or email
chrishare@aol.com for more details.
www.mindboggler.co.uk. 4.7.09
The
Manchurian Approach - Hypnotism for Magicians. Saturday and Sunday
11th and 12th July 2009. Become The Hypnotist; Learn an
observation/attitude-based hypnosis model. Learn how to perform with
hypnosis; Apply it to magic and mentalism. No history and theory
lessons; Just tuition and practice. Mixture of classroom training and
public performance. Day 1. In intensive practical sessions everyone will
learn a solid but flexible approach to hypnotizing. Training and
supervised practice will continue in the afternoon on the street and in
bars until late. Intro: Subject selection: Set Up: Set Piece:
Inductions: Fractionation: Testing: Re-Induction: Suggestion: Catalepsy:
Corpsing: Amnesia. Day 2. Further classroom training to cover in depth
more specialized knowledge. This will be put into the context of typical
magic settings including impromptu, street, walk around, stage and TV.
Hypno Forces: Hypno Peeks: Hallucinations: Control: Post Hypnotic Act:
Managing reaction: Permanosis: Routines: Covert pre-show applications.
Delivery: Intensive classroom training: Street and bar practical with
the public. Training Manual: DVD: Mentoring. The cost of the course is
£275. The trainers are Anthony Jacquin and Kev Sheldrake. This is not a
stage hypnosis course. Venue: Liverpool City Centre, Liverpool. For more
info visit:
www.anthonyjacquin.com/training.html. 4.7.09
Further
Spotlight - Carey on Cards. Britain's John Carey has just released a
new eBook. Here's a quick look at some of the contents: Cut-Off Point -
an extremely simple but powerful approach to the classic one deck "Do As
I Do"; Clearly Impossible - inspired by Bill Abbott; Out of Sight but
Still in Mind - streamlined handling and approach to Dai Vernon's card
classic; WTF? Interchange - a very direct and bold approach to the
classic pocket interchange effect; Those Whispering Good-time Girls - a
simple but strong approach to the classic Whisperers plot; No Truth in
the Tells - John's approach to David Williamson's Liars Poker; Two
Little Breathers - Two items worthy of your attention using the breather
crimp; Counting on You - John's handling and approach to Paul Cummins'
fantastic Counting on It; Crystal Whisper - a two card transpo for
workers; Twin Decisions - another approach to the one deck Do as I Do;
When Nyquist met Lorayne - an extremely direct approach to the classic
sandwich plot; You and Me - a signed card to box routine with a kicker
they will remember... For more info and to order email
johncareymagic@googlemail.com for details.
4.7.09
59
Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot by Richard Wiseman has just
been published by MacMillan and is available from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here. Here's a video that Richard's produced to promote the
book:
Click Here.
4.7.09
Magicians Against ID Cards! Russell Levinson emails: "Magicians say NO to cards - ID cards that is! Roll up for the Magical Liberty Tour at the Inn on the Green on Thursday 30th July at 8pm. The show is supporting No2ID which will have a stand at the gig. Check out www.no2ID.net to find out more about this independent organization which campaigns against ID cards. This is a very special evening and is not to be missed. Easy to get to it's just by Ladbroke Grove tube. Tickets are only £5 on the door. Hosted by the very funny Tim Fitzhigham, who sailed the Channel in his bathtub, the confirmed acts are: Ian Saville A deft and funny routine ... captivating in its charm ... utterly infectious (Guardian) Michael Pearse comedy and juggling that will have you splitting your sides. Katharine Rhodes miraculous mentalism and mind-reading. Stephen Barry hilarious magic from this prize-winning performer. Russell Levinson stunning conjuring with a twist! Venue: Inn on the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Ladbroke Grove W10 5XL (Map) Tel: 020 862 5757 www.iotg.co.uk Organised by Russell Levinson." 4.7.09
Magicians Wanted! Ashley Turner The Table Top Trixta is looking for magicians in the Newark/Nottingham area, interested in working weekly restaurant spots. Email mentalcomedy@gmail.com for more information. 4.7.09
Dawn Chester. Dawn's Funeral will take place on Friday 10th July at 12 noon at Yardley Crematorium, Birmingham. Dawn preferred little black, or casual. There will be a small get-together afterwards to celebrate the life of a wonderful person. Alan Chester (01253 3121190). 4.7.09
"'Magic
Olympics' in Beijing to attract 2,300 magicians worldwide"
Click Here • Girl
Friday: Magic stranger calls"
Click Here • "Lance Burton signs on for another six years"
Click Here • "13-year-old swallows coin while watching
magician"
Click Here • Huddersfield Celebrates 60 Years of Magic -
reported by Derek Proud,
Click Here • "Las Vegas Strip to Close for Magician's Death
Drop"
Click Here • That's it for this week, I'm off to see Buzz
Aldrin tonight at the Royal Festival Hall. 40 years ago Buzz flew to the
moon, went for a stroll together with Neil Armstrong and then flew
home again... now that's magic!
(Photo: Buzz Aldrin, taken by Neil
Armstrong, 20th July 1969). Your UK
magic news is always welcome - see you next week, Duncan.
4.7.09