Number 508 - 20th March 2010
The
Essential Magic Conference is the world’s first web conference for
magicians. Featuring 33 speakers over 3 days of conference, streamed
live worldwide. It will take place on the 15th, 16th and 17th of July
2010. The entire conference will be broadcast via the internet. It
features lectures and demonstrations by some of the most important
thinkers in magic. You can watch the lectures live on your computer, or
you can view the lectures on-demand immediately following their
broadcast. There will be opportunities for you to interact with, and
question, the conference speakers. And, as an additional bonus, every
subscriber will receive a set of DVDs containing every lecture.
The EMC is being organised by Luis de Matos, Marco Tempest and David Britland. It is a not-for-profit venture designed to bring together magicians of all kinds via the internet to learn, share and collaborate.
The cost of registering for the conference is EUR €55 (US $75.00) via www.essentialmagicconference.com. On registering you will create your own personal account and member page. This will entitle you to access various privileges together with the conference newsletter, which will keep you up to date on all the latest developments. One registration covers one computer but the organisers encourage you to invite your friends to watch the conference with you. Register today to attend - access passes are limited: www.essentialmagicconference.com. 20.3.10
74th
British Ring IBM Convention, 22nd - 26th September 2010, Eastbourne.
Appearing this year... Charlie Frye and Company, Rich Bloch, Julius
Frack, Richard Forget, Martin Eisele (photo), Wayne Dobson, Cyril
Harvey, Mauel Muerte, Flip, Yoganne, Matt Johnson, Richard Cadell, Black
Fingers, Derek Lever, Bob Yelland, Jimmy Carlo, Pluck, Graham P Jolley,
Ian Keable, The Nardinis and Amethyst, with more names to come! British
Ring PRO Bob Hayden will keep us up-to-date in the forthcoming weeks. To
read Bob's initial convention preview,
Click Here.
www.britishring.org.uk. 20.3.10
The
Northern Magic Circle Convention takes place next weekend (Saturday
27th & Sunday 28th March) at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, Lancashire. Guy
Barrett will be performing an extended excerpt from his full evening
show, including the convention premier of a new illusion. This years
lineup features Nathan Kranzo (USA), Steve Royle, John Hotowka, Chris
Priest, Thom Peterson (USA), Steve Hewlett, Marc Paul, Paul Joyce, John
Dixion, Darren Bonas, Roger Woods, Maurice Howarth, Brian Sefton,
Stephen Williams, Chris Cross and Kostya Kimlat (USA). Expect lectures,
workshops/masterclasses, competitions, a Saturday evening late show, a
history of mystery event, an exclusive Northern Junior members
masterclass and close-up shows, culminating in the All Star Gala Show on
the Sunday evening. A full weekend registration is just £50.00 via
www.northernmagic.co.uk (or contact the registration officer Allan
Clarke on 01772 685073).
Nathan Kranzo will also be hosting an additional Masterclass event at 8pm on Friday 26th March at the New Boston Hotel, Fleetwood. This will feature 2 hours of hands-on advice focusing mainly on coin magic interspersed with other close-up effects. The cost of this additional event is £50.00 and includes two of Nathan's DVDs (Stand Up Coin Magic and Nathan's Lecture), which normally retail at £25.00 each. To reserve a place email Alan Mylecraine alan@northernmagic.co.uk. 20.3.10
A
wide range of conjuring books, memorabilia and apparatus are
included in the sale at Bloomsbury Auctions of March 25th. The main
collection comprises items surplus to the collection of John Fisher. The
books include nineteenth-century editions of Professor Hoffmann,
Robert-Houdin, and others, and more recent limited editions such as "The
Magic of Robert Harbin". The memorabilia includes collections relating
to Jeffery Atkins, Murray, David Nixon, Francis White and others, and a
large number of photographs dating from the early twentieth century,
many of which are inscribed. The apparatus includes Harbin's own props
for Sawing a Woman in Half, and his Goldfish Bowl Production, Norman
Hunter's Chest of Magic used at St. George's Hall, a Miraculous Casket
and Disappearing Bird Cage, both nineteenth century, a number of boxed
magic sets, the majority also nineteenth-century, a Robert-Houdin
mystery clock, and a cane presented by Beatrice Houdini to Edward Saint.
The auction will be taking place this Thursday, 25th March, at 10am at
Bloomsbury Auctions, 24 Maddox Street, London W1S 1PP (Map).
Visit
www.bloomsburyauctions.com for more information. Photo: Lot 469.
Houdini (Beatrice). A yew walking cane, the silver knob decorated with a
continuous scene with Chinese figures. Estimate: £2,000-£3,000. 20.3.10
Michael
Vincent is presenting his lecture ‘An Evening With Michael Vincent’
for
International Magic on Tuesday 23rd March at 7.30pm at their regular
venue - 2nd floor at 'Casa Italiana', 136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R
5DL (Map).
Entrance is £15.00 on the door. All those who wish to attend should
contact Martin on 020 7405 7324 or email
martin@internationalmagic.com. 20.3.10
Fantasmagoria,
Komedia, Brighton. The critically acclaimed magic cabaret
"Fantasmagoria" returns to the Komedia in Brighton this week on
Wednesday 24th March. Hosted, as ever, by the multi award winning
magician Steve Dela, this month's show features two rising magic stars,
Dave Loosley and Joe Derrington, along with "The King of Comedy Magic"
(Time Out) Sky One's very own Christian Lee. With close-up magic before
the show and during the interval. Don't miss it! Doors open 7pm. Tickets
are £12.50 (£10.00 Concessions) from the Komedia Box Office on 0845 293
8480 or via
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton. 20.3.10
Irish
Ring 85 Diamond Jubilee Convention. Junior registrations are now
available for the convention (April 30th-May 2nd) in Belfast. If you are
aged 16 or under the discount is £10.00 per full day, when accompanied
by a responsible adult paying full registration. Anyone planning to
enter the Stage or Close-up competitions is advised to let organisers
know by April 23rd. Unless the minimum number of entrants is received by
that date the competitions will be cancelled and an alternative event
arranged.
www.online-usm.com/Convention.html. 20.3.10
Cold
reading and séance magic expert Paul Voodini is pleased to announce
that his two books 'Reader of Minds' and 'The Paranormal Entertainer'
are now available from his website, along with details of his lectures
for magic societies and news of a very special lecture and
workshop in London on May 29th. Interested parties should visit
www.seancenights.co.uk for more details. 20.3.10
Pro-Flite
is a new version of the classic Flying Ring effect from Nick Einhorn and
Bob Swadling. Priced at £29.99 it available from your favourite magic
dealer (currently on pre-order for delivery at the start of April) or
from Nick Einhorn
www.einhorn.co.uk (with free postage until the end of March).
Pro-Flite is reviewed this week by James Freedman,
Click Here and to watch the "ohh get out of here" trailer
Click Here. 20.3.10
Thought
Thief. Sunday 28th March at 8.30pm. "Thought Thief is coming to
Oxford for one night only. Both criminals and the government are
controlling you. Join underground mind-reading sensation, Peter
Antoniou, when through laughter and amazement he reveals how your mind
has been compromised. You have been warned!" Tickets £6.00 (concessions
£4.00) available from
www.wegottickets.com/event/74939 Venue:
Upstairs @ The
Copa, 9-13 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AU (Map).
www.isyourmindsafe.com. 20.3.10
A
Magic Evening For Amnesty. Colin Francome is planning to be the
first pensioner to juggle whilst jogging during the London Marathon on
April 25th, and will be raising funds for Amnesty International by
hosting a show with some top comedy and magic acts on Thursday 25th
March at the Amnesty Headquarters, 17 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA (Map).
The acts include, Fay Presto (personally requested to entertain HM The
Queen on six occasions), Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Tom
Wrigglesworth, Isy Suttie (Dobby in Peep Show), Laura London who will be
performing a spectacular illusion show featuring Miss ReJoyce and Mr
Frank and Megan Knowles
(the UK's leading teenage female magician). The show starts at 7.30pm
and tickets are £10.00 each via
www.theticketsellers.co.uk or contact Colin Francome 0208 205 6110
for more info. 20.3.10
Ed Doolan Interviews
Paul Daniels and Leonard Nimoy.
"A double-bill of conversation: Star Trek's Mr Spock speaks from 1980 -
and the famous magician pops in from 2009." 11am and again at 5pm on Sunday 21st March
on BBC Radio 7. 20.3.10
Magic
Night at Madame JoJo’s, Friday, 2nd April. Expect séances, palm
reading, video magic and the politically incorrect! "The Infamous Barry
and Stuart will raise the dead and get into your head via the medium of
the silver screen, Harrison Richards will be bending metal and your
brains, reading your palms and your mind, Hulaboy will be causing
revolutions and comic ubermeister, Frank Sanazi will be bringing a new
order and discipline to the usually more relaxed style of lounge
singing. All expertly compered by the mind expanding Christian Lee. Doors open at 7.00pm, Show
starts at 7.45pm, Tickets £10 or supper and show ticket: show ticket
plus dinner for two: £40. Tickets can be bought at Ticket Web
www.ticketweb.co.uk or
www.lastminute.com Madame
JoJo’s, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F 0SP (Map)
020 7734 3040 www.magicnight.co.uk. 20.3.10
Magic
Moments Day 2010. This year's
Magic Moments
Day will take place on Saturday 2nd October. Shortly we will have
our downloadable information and sponsorship pack for you to create your
very own Magic Moment on our annual day wherever you live, to whomever
you like, raising money for whoever you wish! Last year magicians raised
over £7000 for charities through magic – this year we aim to beat that.
What will you do to create your magic moment? Stay tuned to MagicWeek
for further news on this exciting day bringing the magic community
together for good causes. Jay Fortune. 20.3.10
Ghost
Stories (Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson) has broken all the Lyric
Hammersmith's Box Office records and has consequently been extended
until April 17th. There is also a one-off midnight show on March 26th.
Here is what the critics say in the latest trailer:
Click Here. Tickets via:
www.lyric.co.uk. 20.3.10
Michael
Ammar will be visiting the UK in late September and October for a
lecture tour. The tour is almost fully booked. For further details
contact tour organiser Tony Griffith
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk or
01275 835463. Details of the lecture venues will appear in
What's On in due
course. 20.3.10
Merlins
of Wakefield. Merlins of Wakefield's new March/April preview
catalogue is out now. If you'd like one just email them - they are free
and packed with loads of great products. Other items of interest are
their popular Ton Onosaka product range, and, following a complete sell
out at the Blackpool Convention, DRIFT by Mark Lee - now back in stock.
Visit
www.merlinswakefield.co.uk for all the latest products and don't
forget to keep an eye out for the 'Friday Specials'. 20.3.10
Morgan
& West: Time Travelling Magicians. Burton Taylor, Oxford OX1 2LW (Map),
31st March and 1st April at 8pm. After their sell-out Edinburgh Fringe
show Bamboozlement!, Morgan and West: Time Travelling Magicians
marks the triumphant return of the magical Victorian duo to the stage,
and to the future. Revisiting their roles as the 19th century’s finest
magical duo, Rhys and Rob present another hour of baffling magic,
mind-reading and time travel. As ever the moustachioed duo present a
show suitable for al - capped off with a top hat and a cheeky wink. Book
now to avoid disappointment!
www.oxfordplayhouse.com. 20.3.10
Jasper
Blakely and Vladimir Dimitri Kockov! Darlington Magic Circle, April 15th.
"The Darlington Magic Circle is hosting a 2-4-1 lecture with both Jasper
Blakely and Kockov on Thursday 15th April. 7.30pm for 8pm start.
Award-winning international magician, Jasper Blakeley MMC, wants to tell
you about the most important part of being a professional magician –
performance. After this 2 hour lecture, Jasper hopes to inspire you to
re-examine some of your priorities when it comes to being a working
professional. Looking at close-up, children’s magic, cabaret, one-man
shows and even comedy clubs, Jasper will not only reveal the techniques
he’s developed to overcome common performing difficulties, but he also
examines persona, voice, approaches, dress, style, manner and character.
The second half sees Vladimir Dimitri Kockov perform several of his
unique routines, including 'Real Live Russian Roulette'. The lecture
finishes off with an in depth look at the mechanics and psychology of
the roulette routine and touches upon the reason behind creating
original effects and ensuring their commercial viability. A very lively
and funny lecture, Jasper’s enthusiasm as a fulltime working
professional and creator of off-beat unique characters and effects will
hopefully challenge your thinking. Please be prepared to contribute on
the night with your own experiences on performing. Please be warned that
parts of this lecture are intelligently Adult in nature and that
firearms will be used. This is a very different kind of lecture with
something for every aspect of performance." The Darlington Magic Circle
extend a warm and friendly welcome to all magicians who would like to
attend. There is a token £5.00 admission for non-members with easy
access just off the A1 and on the East Coast mainline. Further details:
Secretary@TheDarlingtonMagicCircle.co.uk or
IainJae@ntlworld.com. 20.3.10
Chris
Cox was involved in a major road accident last week, but fortunately
came out of it in one piece, Chris emails: "I was on-route to Liverpool
on Wednesday for my show there, and had a major accident. The van we
were in flipped two times across the motorway. Had to cancel the gig but
somehow managed to both escape with a bit of whiplash and some cuts and
bruises. Everyone at the scene seemed amazed we'd managed to walk out of
the van. Back on tour on Monday though in Bath. This is the result of
the accident:
twitpic.com/19imnv." 20.3.10
Triksters
Magic Group email: "Big break for upcoming magicians. Triksters
Magic Group (TMG) is assembling a band of magicians called Triksters.
The group will live and work in Tokyo for a year following a month long
audition process in August, 2010. In the first twelve months the group
will be groomed and packaged to hit the world stage. We are developing a
TV series and a worldwide promotional tour with an Executive Producer
based in the US. What we are seeking from participants (of which we are
only selecting four additional ones for the group) are the following
requirements: 1. Professional magicians aged around 20 -25, who possess
very strong magic skills. 2. Have exceptional TV presence and proven
ability to connect with an audience. 3. Desire to become a world-wide
magic star. 4. Be available to fly to Japan in August, 2010 for a month
long audition - with a view to staying for an extended period. Jay Jay
(photo) is the first magician to sign with the group. Jay Jay is a
Queensland, Australian based magician who embodies the talent and spirit
of what we are looking for. For further information, photos or interview
please contact me, Troy Logan, Producer. Triksters Magic Group, 3-4-31
Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan. T/F +81-3-3568-3929. Skype:
troystarskype." 20.3.10
Secrets
of Improvisational Magic book launch. "Card and close-up magicians,
mentalists, and anyone interested in improvisational magic, are invited
to the launch of Justin Higham's new book, Secrets of Improvisational
Magic, this Tuesday (March 23rd), between 5pm and 9pm, in the upstairs
bar of The Cock Tavern public house, 27 Great Portland Street, London
W1W 8QG (Map),
just 3 minutes from Oxford Circus. Justin, a former Marlo student, is
recognised worldwide as an expert creator, technician, and author with
cards, and he will be present on the night to meet and talk with fellow
magicians about improvisational magic. There is no official format for
the evening, but the first five people through the door will each
receive a complimentary copy of Justin's previous book, Dexterity
Manual. Arrive early as it will get very busy." Visit
www.card-magic.com
for more information and to order the book direct from Justin. 20.3.10
Tommy
Cooper Collection, 5 DVDs, over 12 hours long, available from
Amazon.co.uk • "From box-kites to the A380: Australian aviation
turns 100 [Houdini interest]"
Click Here • "Paul Daniels: My Magic Circle Hell"
Click Here • Tony Griffith presents his Reflections lecture for the
Hereford Magic Society on Thursday 8th April. Details from Steward Bevan
01521 670330 • "Stephen Mulhern lands primetime ITV show"
Click Here • Robert Temple's Hypnotica - Hypnosis Training Workshop,
live in May in Manchester
RobertTemple.net/Workshop • "Invisibility cloak created in
3-D"
Click Here • "Illusionist pleads no contest, draws jail"
Click Here • "Interview: Pete Firman"
Click Here • "Magician from Thornbury is accepted into Magic
Circle"
Click Here • Please submit news for publication in April as
soon as possible, to allow for the Easter holiday period. See you next
week, Duncan.
20.3.10