Number 534 - 18th September 2010
The
Magic State of Mind,
www.magicstateofmind.com, is a new website aimed at helping magicians get
the most from their career in magic and features video interviews with
successful magicians who have created careers that are about more than just the
tricks. Already on the site, interviews with Andy Nyman and Bob Garner (one of
the most successful corporate magicians in the US); with more big names to
follow. In the future the site will also include productivity and creativity
notes and ideas, aimed at helping you build the career that you want
www.magicstateofmind.com.
18.9.10
Illusions
Magic Bar, Bristol - now that's magic. Illusions Magic Bar in Bristol
celebrated their 3rd anniversary with a party on September 12th - and the
business is all set to expand yet again later this year. Following their 'Best
Entertainment Pub of Great Britain' win in 2009 for their Bristol Bar they
expanded in February 2010, with a second venue at The Printworks in Manchester.
Now owners Mark Bennett and Sylvie Dagallier (seen here with party guests Paul
Daniels and Debbie McGee) have secured premises for a third venue, this time in
Brighton. "We love that we can offer so much more than the high street bars and
we are always trying new ideas to keep things fresh. Our teams of magicians in
Bristol and Manchester even travel from city to city to help make our bars the
best value for money. Brighton will be our test-bed for London - so watch this
space!" Illusions now employs 14 bar staff, over 30 magicians and 5
musicians. "...we look forward to moving onwards and upwards in this time of
recession; as we have said before, if you can offer that little more then
customers will come back!"
www.illusionsmagicbar.co.uk. "Illusionist Paul Daniels on Come Dancing
magic"
Click Here.
18.9.10
IBM
British Ring Convention, Eastbourne. British Ring PRO Bob Hayden: This is
the last call for you to attend this year’s British Ring Convention in
Eastbourne! You will still able to register for this lavish programme of
spectacular magic starting next Wednesday 22nd September at the Registration
Desk which will open at 10.30am in the foyer of the Congress Theatre (photo).
For those of you who have not previously attended one of our Conventions in
Eastbourne the whole of the Convention takes place within the Congress Theatre
and adjacent Winter Garden Complex. From midday Wednesday to midday Sunday you
will be able to enjoy a terrific International Magic Show plus another three
stage shows, an International Close-up Show, a Cabaret night, a stage, close-up
and table magic competition, ten lectures on different branches of magic, three
workshops, a Collectors Seminar and a Dealers Exhibition and Demonstration. All
of this for a registration fee of £125 (£110 for British Ring members and their
partners and £65 for junior magicians). Day registrations are available at £55
per day (£45 for British Ring members and their partners, £25 junior magicians).
There is a special weekend registration fee, which includes a Gala Show ticket,
fee of £35 for junior magicians. For Bob Hayden's full final round-up
Click Here or visit
www.britishring.org.uk.
18.9.10
Portsmouth &
District Magic Circle Jumbo Day. Portsmouth & District Magic Circle
have completed the line up for their 'Jumbo Day' on Sunday 7th November at
Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, Buckland, Portsmouth PO2 7BL (Map).
There'll be workshops from Mike Stokes and Wayne Fox, close-up sessions with
Rikki Mark, David Gemmell, Torrin Vear and Romanos (creator of the new gimmick
'The Loki'). The Star Lecture will be presented by John Archer, who will also
star in The Gala Show alongside Matthew Garrett, Steve Price, Edward Hilsum and
David Croucher. Bob Hamilton will be there with his videos, and The Special
Guest Presentation will be by Paul Zenon. In a one-off convention appearance,
Paul will present his talk on Houdini, the Aviation Pioneer. Plus well known
magic dealers and loads of second-hand magic for sale too! Details and
registration forms from:
www.jumboday.co.uk. Advance registrations close on Tuesday 19th October.
18.9.10
Quentin
Reynolds' Psychic Game Show returns for fourteen nights as part of The
Manchester Comedy Festival. "A bewitching blend of mindreading and humour."
Starting Monday 18th October and running nightly until Sunday 31st. The Lass O'
Gowrie, 36 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB (Map).
Good pub food is available for those arriving early. They also brew their own
beer on the premises. Shows start at 7.30pm. Tickets £5.00. Phone 0161 2364452
or visit
www.psychicgameshow.com.
18.9.10
Magic
Moments Day 2010. There are only two weeks to go to plan your Magic Moment
if you’ve not done so already. This year is the biggest yet, with magicians
helping to spread the word, good vibes and great magic for all kinds of
charitable causes. Magic Moments’ Jay Fortune is live on Riviera FM today
(Saturday) talking about Magic Moments, and launching an on-air competition to
find the final entrant for his ‘Walk on Stage’ show taking place on Magic
Moments Day. Jay will also be assisting in an on-air séance to end the Agatha
Christie Festival. No stranger to these unusual radio requests, Jay had his own
weekly feature ‘Magic you can’t actually see’ on his own breakfast radio show
for over two years. He is also working on the Coronation Street 50th celebration
on the Coronation Street set this week, and hoping to persuade a few of the
assisting charities to stage their own Magic Moments show for next years annual
day.
Click Here to download our free
Magic Moments 2010 Sponsorship Pack, visit the
Magic Moments 2010
page on MagicWeek, or email Jay Fortune:
magicmoments@live.co.uk.
18.9.10
Ghost
is a timeless fantasy about the power of love... The dazzling new musical
Ghost, based on the phenomenal Oscar winning Paramount Pictures film written by
Bruce Joel Rubin, will receive its world premiere at the Manchester Opera House,
running for a strictly limited season from 28th March - 14th May 2011 prior to
opening in London's West End in June 2011. Featuring "extraordinary and stunning
stage effects by Paul Kieve"
www.ghostthemusical.com.
18.9.10
Mysterio's
Encyclopedia of Magic and Conjuring: A Complete Compendium of Astonishing
Illusions by Gabe Fajuri is reviewed by Ian Keable this week: "Finding a new
twist on magic books aimed at the general public is always hard. Having written
a couple myself I know the difficulties. Can you do something more than trail
through all the other books which are already out there and extract those tricks
which are considered to be in the public domain? Gabe Fajuri has certainly done
that – but I’ll come to that later. I’ll begin though with a comment on the
tricks which he has included. The first thought is that some might be considered
‘too good’ for the beginner in magic, which this book is clearly aimed at. Paul
Curry’s Out of This World, the Sub Trunk, Headline Prediction, Crazy Man’s
Handcuffs and Equal and Unequal Ropes are explained in detail, to name a few
which are in the repertoire of many a professional magician..." To read the full
review
Click Here.
18.9.10
Derren Brown
Double: Something
Wicked This Way Comes & An Evening of Wonders. Sunday 19th
September from 9pm on E4. Something
Wicked This Way Comes: "A specially televised version of Derren Brown's award-winning live show,
fusing magic, suggestion and psychology. Filmed in front of a packed
audience at the Old Vic in London." And An Evening of Wonders:
"Recorded at the Garrick Theatre in London, the internationally
acclaimed psychological illusionist takes the theatre audience and
viewers on a jaw-dropping, laugh-out-loud journey to a climax of the
most astonishing mind-reading." See
TV Magic. "Derren
Brown to be investigated over rail track stunt by Ofcom"
Click Here.
18.9.10
Ali
Cardabra lectures at the Blackpool Magicians’ Club on Wednesday, 30th
September. Ali is well known to magicians for his tribute to Charlie Chaplin but
not so well known is that he also performs as other characters such as Inspector
Jacques Clouseau, Willie Wonka and Count Dracula! His performing talents are
complemented by his creation of many new and innovative magic effects. The
lecture is at the headquarters of Blackpool Magicians’ Club, rear of No 1
Sherbourne Road, North Shore, Blackpool FY1 2PW. Doors open at 6.30pm and there
is a bar, catering area, museum, library, magic shop and the camaraderie of
members and associates to keep you entertained until Ali takes to the stage.
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
18.9.10
Gary
Jones, Lee Smith, Ravi Mayar and Nick Brown were booked to entertain
celebrities including Jonathan Ross, Amanda Holden, Penny Lancaster, Alistair
Stewart, Nigel Havers and Roger Daltrey at the Variety Club in Central London
last Monday. Mike Hazsko, the Variety Club organiser, said, "We were all very
impressed by the quality of the magic performances, and many of the celebrities
also commented on how much fun they had being entertained with such great
magic." (Photo L to R Ravi Mayar, Nick Brown, Lee Smith and Gary Jones).
18.9.10
Jumbo
Magic Auction - Manchester Circle of Magicians on Monday 4th October at
Salford Masonic Hall, Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent, Salford, Manchester
commencing at 6.30pm with viewing from 6pm. Auctioneers Mike Shepherd and Derek
Lever. Door charge £3.00. Members free of charge. Hundreds of items available
including apparatus, books, DVDs... Further details from Derek Lever, phone:
01253 810113 email: d.lever1@sky.com.
18.9.10
Chop
Cup Comp! Brian Watson (www.cupsandballsmagic.com)
and Gareth Gwatkin (www.hiddenwrenmagic.com)
are offering magicians a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted
Chop Cup. For competition details visit
www.cupsandballsmagic.com.
18.9.10
Psi
Reel Vectra by Edo. "This gimmick will allow you to perform effects which
are closer than anything else to real magic! The newest technology for reels!
Perform Psi effects which have never been so easy to perform. This is the
ultimate thread reel!" Find out more, visit
www.my-magicshop.com.
18.9.10
Loki
By Romanos And MagicTao: "Like its namesake, the Norse God Loki, this
fantastic new prop has the potential for creating tons of mischief everywhere
you go! Here's just one example of what the Loki can achieve: 'Card and Bill
Transpo by Justin Miller' - A selected card and a bill transpose instantly and
visually! A card is chosen and placed inside the card case. A borrowed bill is
folded into quarters. Visually the bill changes into the spectator’s chosen
card. You open the card case and the bill that you borrowed is now inside.
Simple, powerful magic! Find out more, visit
www.magictao.co.uk .
18.9.10
The
Order of The Magi (Manchester) held their Annual Cabaret and Comedy
Competition on Tuesday 14th September where 6 members battled it out for the
trophies. Two magical and two lay judges had a difficult decision to make, as
the standard was very high with much thought and effort put in by all
competitors. Although the figures were close the winner of the Stage Cup was Max
Townsend (left of picture) with Joe Abrahams taking the Comedy Cup. These cups
were presented by Alan “Snaggers” Russell (president) who is looking forward to
meeting magicians from around the world at the IBM British Ring convention in
Eastbourne later this week. Geoffrey Newton PRO.
18.9.10
Above
& Beyond Cold Reading - a workshop for mentalists and magicians is to be run
by Paul Voodini, author of Reader of Minds, on Sunday October 10th at
Treadwells bookshop in Covent Garden, London between noon and 4.30pm. The
workshop will cover such issues as what exactly cold reading is, how to actually
cold read, how mentalists and magicians can utilise cold reading, the ethics of
cold reading, and how to make money from cold reading. Attendees will also
receive a complimentary copy of Reader of Minds. Further information and
tickets (priced at just £18) are available from
www.readerofminds.co.uk.
18.9.10
The
Modern Mystic League hold their Annual Magical Banquet on Saturday 9th
October. The event will take place in the very comfortable surroundings of the
Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex on Whalley Road, Langho near Blackburn. A
four course meal will be followed by close-up magic at the tables and a star
cabaret featuring Brian Sefton and British Magical Comedy and Grand Prix
Champion, Mark Shortland. Tickets are £30.00. For full details visit
www.memel.org.uk or
contact organiser Allan Clarke on 01772 681522. Alternatively you can Email:
info@memel.org.uk. The hotel still has
accommodation available and if you plan to stay magicians are more than welcome
to attend a lecture by Mark Shortland on Sunday 10th October at the meeting
rooms in Blackburn. Again, full details can be found on the website.
18.9.10
Laura
London presents Fantastique! A night of Music, Magic and Cabaret. Wednesday
22nd September at Proud Cabaret, 1 Mark lane, London EC3R 7AH (Map).
Starring magician and compère Laura London, The Mind Reader Who Cannot Read
Minds, Chris Cox, the Murder Mile Three playing some blues classics, plus cheeky
cabaret performers, Little Bo, Dani Glassen and Lydia Darling and the fabulous
cabaret magician and general funnyman Christian Lee. Contact
lauralondonmagic@yahoo.co.uk
for dinner reservations which include free entry, otherwise tickets are £10 on
the door.
18.9.10
Al
Smith reviews Steve Beam's Semi-Automatic Card Tricks VIII and Merlin's 'Miser’s
Rings' this week,
Click Here and
Click Here.
18.9.10
"The
coolest magician I've ever seen" that was the verdict of 'Ultimate Big
Brother' contestant Coolio at last week's Big Brother wrap party. 'The Stars’
Favourite Magician' Darryl Rose MIMC, has performed at the party every year for
the past 10 years, and bowed out by making plenty of housemates gasp at his
magic... Photo: Darryl and 'Ultimate House Mate' winner Brian Dowling.
www.darrylrose.com.
18.9.10
Derby
Magic Circle Day of Magic - Sunday 24th October. Featuring a table
top sale, an auction, magic workshops and
lectures. Doors open at 8.30am. Venue Willington Power Station Social
Club, Twyford Road, Willington, Derby DE65 6DE (Map).
Tables are £7 each and entrance is £2.50 payable on the door.
Refreshments and bar available. Further details from Allan
Humphries on 01889 590975
www.derbymagiccircle.co.uk.
18.9.10
Spyros
Melaris lectures on 'Magic, TV and Telephones' at the Watford Association of
Magicians on Tuesday 21st September at 8pm. Visiting magicians are welcome; £10
on the door. For details email
juliecarpenter@themagiccircle.co.uk
www.wamclub.co.uk.
18.9.10
The
Nail Writer Anthology. Compiled and Edited by Thomas Baxter. "The nail
writer is, ounce-for-ounce, the most powerful tool in the mentalist's arsenal.
This book, compiled and edited by Thomas Baxter, is packed with routines, ideas
and uses for this secret device. Many of these come from top name contributors
such as Marc Salem, Barrie Richardson, James Randi, Hector Chadwick, Patrick
Redford, Jim Magus, Raymond Carlyle, David Alexander, Andrew Gerard, Eric Mason,
Patrick Kuffs and others. Detailed instructions for making different nail
writers (Boons, Swami, etc.) are also provided; and the book contains the first
truly comprehensive history of the nail writer. The definitive work on the nail
writer, destined to become a classic in mentalism literature!" 194 pages.
Hardbound. US $50.00. Available from H&R Books or signed copies can be purchased
from the author by contacting him directly:
tombaxter@cogeco.ca.
18.9.10
Late
Joys Music Hall. "Old Time Music Hall - like The Good Old Days."
Magician Freddie Wilkinson will appears in both the 2.30pm and 6pm show, at
the Drill Hall on Sunday 19th September. Visit
www.drillhall.co.uk for details.
www.freddiewilkinson.co.uk.
18.9.10
Gary
Dunn Debuts at Kidology 2010 - Gary presented his first ever lecture at this
year's Kidology Convention in Wolverhampton. "Entertaining Children with
Nothing... Almost" was a real hit with the 500 plus attendees, focusing on
virtually 'prop free' comedy routines for the professional worker looking to add
something other than magic to their act. The audience were encouraged to
interact during the lecture with comical results. Gary also gave advise on PA
systems and the use of music in routines. His lecture notes were a complete sell
out, but can be obtained from Gary directly via
www.garydunn.com. He also
launched several effects including "Animation Sensation - Mind Reading for
Minors" and the sold out "Flash & Glo Wand" which is now restocked and
exclusively available from
Practical Magic.
18.9.10
Those
Blackpool Bloggers head to Eastbourne... Sussex Magic Circle Members' Matt
Parro, Stuart Harley and Geoff Hunt are back blogging! But this time it'll be
from the British Ring
IBM Convention in Eastbourne. They will be reviewing all the latest as it
happens, with photos, comments, reviews, ratings and even video reviews! So if
you are unable to make the convention or are just too lazy to get the programme
out of your bag, log on to
www.ibm2010.blogspot.com to see what’s happening.
18.9.10
Megan's
Musical Magic. On Wednesday 15th September Megan Knowles-Bacon (pictured
here with last year’s joint winner, club president, Roy Marsh) became the 2010
winner of the Jack Delvin “Magic to Music” competition, at the Bexley Magic
Society. The format of the event involves willing members being given a piece of
music unknown to them till they hear it for the first time. They then have about
two months to put together an act appropriate for that piece of music. Megan
chose a nautical theme in which a “magic wand” was a trumpet, magically produced
from a paper tambourine. She then produced ropes, flags and even a ships anchor
from a previously shown empty treasure chest. It was clear a lot of work had
been put into this act with costume and props being made from scratch as well as
new presentations being learned for the magic effects. David Klass was only two
votes behind in second place. The other contestants were Ken Francis, Bernard
Pinnock and Chris Latham. The evening was a great success, superbly compèred by
Dave Andrews, with many compliments being attributed to the acts from the
largely lay audience. Congratulations to everyone involved and well done Megan,
the first club member to win the trophy twice. Reported by Roy Marsh.
18.9.10
Secrets of Hypnotic Success, January 2011. News from Jonathan Royle: "Mind Magician Nick Davies has teamed up with Hypnotists Robert Temple and Jonathan Royle, Kennedy The Mind-Reader and a whole host of marketing, public speaking and success experts to bring you the two day "Secrets of Hypnotic Success" conference. All Ticket profits are being donated to The Children's Make A Wish Foundation Charity, you'll learn techniques from ten of the world's leading experts in their fields to help you make more money from your skills, talents, products and services. All who book now walk away with a free set of DVDS worth £197 and best of all it's only £47 to attend." Visit www.secretsofhypnoticsuccess.com for details. 18.9.10
"Baby
on the Way for David Blaine"
Click Here • Yonezo Mikame of Mikame Craft passed away on
Thursday 9th September,
Click Here • "Cirque du Soleil to
Take Up Residence at Radio City Music Hall"
Click Here • "Latest News: Ghost Stories scares Londoners
longer"
Click Here • "Paul Daniels turns on the charm on Strictly"
Click Here • Another busy week. Many thanks for your news and see
you next week, Duncan.
18.9.10