Number 557 - 26th February 2011
Blackpool
2011 will go down in many of our personal magic history books as the
convention where we first saw the explosive magical talent of French
magician Yann Frisch. Frisch was awarded first place in the Parlour
Magic category and 'Most Original Close Up Act' (there is no overall
'champ' in the FISM European Magic Championships) and was also awarded
the Ken Dodd Award for Comedy by the Blackpool Magicians' Club. His
close-up reworking of the classic Cups & Balls (one cup, one tea pot,
lots of misdirection, lots of fun, lots of sleight of hand) was simply
superb. I'm not going to attempt to describe just what he did
though, that would spoil it. See him LIVE. This week Peter Eldin reports
on the convention (many thanks Peter) and Daniel Eden supplies the
accompanying photos (thank you Dan).
Click Here to read the full report (DT). Plus "Conjuring up another
winner" Robin Duke reports for The Blackpool Gazette
Click Here. "59th Annual Convention of the Blackpool Magicians Club"
Elizabeth Warlock reports for The Stage,
Click Here.
26.2.11
Penn
& Teller: Fool Us - news from production company September Films:
"After the huge success of ITV1’s primetime 90-minute special, Penn &
Teller: Fool Us!, the world-famous illusionists are coming back to
the UK for more. For the series - hosted by Jonathan Ross - we’re
looking for the best magical performers to wow the pair with a
jaw-dropping performance. It is all about showcasing the most original,
entertaining and baffling magic – all watched live by Penn & Teller and
a studio audience. Any magician who manages to fool the pair gets a trip
to Las Vegas to perform in their incredible stage show at the Rio Hotel
and Casino. This is an open call to find the very best, either amateur
or professional, and we are looking at every kind of magic so that we
have as much variety as possible. We will be filming in a studio in
London between May 14-May 20. We would need you to be available at times
tbc within that window. You will also need to make yourself available
for 1-2 days filming in the run up to the studio. Please email
magic@septemberfilms.com
asap for an application form! You can now find us on Facebook: ‘Fool
Us’".
26.2.11
Michael
Finney is one of the top performers booked for this year's British
Ring Convention in Southport. Other magic stars include Aonghus McAnnaly
(Ireland), Jason Andrews (USA), Jeton The Gentleman Juggler (Germany),
Shawn Farquhar (Canada), Jordan Gomez (France), Wes Zaharuk (Canada), Joe
M
Turner (USA), Vittorio Marino (Italy), and from the UK David Tomkins,
Richard Cadell & Sooty, Safire, Amethyst, Mark James, Alex Hansford and
Mel Mellers. When: 22nd – 25th September. Where: Southport. For updates
visit
www.magicconvention.co.uk and to register
Click Here.
26.2.11
Shenanigans
update: "Card expert Paul Gordon has been added to the line up for
Shenanigans The Irish Magic Convention. Paul is a world renowned sleight
of hand expert, has published and authored countless books and also runs
his highly acclaimed Card Capers Magic Days. Paul will present and
perform all over the weekend. He is seldom seen without a deck in his
hand; this is the guy for card sessions well into the wee hours.
Shenanigans runs 29th April - 1st May 2011 in Dublin. Full registration
is an unbelievable €110 and includes Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch.
Full details on the Shenanigans Website
www.irishmagicconvention.com" It was nice to see magic featured in
The Blackpool Gazette last weekend:
Click
Here.
26.2.11
Wolverhampton
Circle of Magicians Close-up Competition. The Wolverhampton Circle
of Magicians Close-up Competition takes place on Wednesday 2nd March at
8pm (doors open 7.30pm,). Only WCM members can compete, but this is a
public event so visitors are very welcome. Venue: West End Working Mens
Club, Merridale Street West, Wolverhampton WV3 0RW (Map).
www.wolverhamptoncircleofmagicians.com.
26.2.11
Introducing
WarpedMagic.co.uk "WarpedMagic.co.uk is a new online store offering
a fantastic selection of magic tricks and DVDs. From the beginner to the
professional magician warpedmagic.co.uk aim to have something for
everyone. All the items advertised on our website are held in stock so
you can be sure to receive your order quickly. With monthly deals and
discount codes there are some real bargains to be had so check back
regularly." Visit
www.warpedmagic.co.uk today!
26.2.11
Gazzo
lectures at the Bath Circle of Magicians at 8pm on Thursday March
10th. The Bath Circle are delighted to host a talk from the legendary
Gazzo at St Mary's Church Hall, Saltford (near Bath) at 8pm on Thursday
10th March. Gazzo is world-renowned for his razor-sharp street
performances, deep emersion in magic history and technique, and, of
course, his classic cup and ball routine. All welcome, a donation of
£5.00 is appreciated from visitors. Contact Oli Foster for further
details:
olifostermagic@gmail.com 07817 726 785.
26.2.11
Roy
Johnson writes: "Last weekend my wife Janet and I attended the
Blackpool Magicians Club Convention which was excellent, particularly as
I was privileged to receive the Murray Award for Services to Magic
during the Gala show. It was a real honour and the statuette now has
pride of place in my magic 'den'. We thoroughly enjoyed the convention,
the organisation was superb and the Gala show was really fantastic. We
also enjoyed our stay at
Pelham Lodge
where magician Martin Scott Price has undertaken a massive modernisation
of this 16 bed guest house. We were made very welcome and know in time
it will be the 'in place' being only 5 minutes walk from the Winter
Gardens." (I was delighted to see Roy being presented with the Murray,
much deserved, together with fellow recipient Arthur Casson who works
tirelessly behind the scenes each year for the convention -
congratulations to both! DT). Photo ©
www.eden-photography.net.
26.2.11
New Magic Group for West Sussex
- follow-up. Tom Sparks emails: "Just to let you know that I am
investigating possible venues available in Rustington, or nearby, for
holding regular meetings in, but this is going to take a few days. I am
asking anyone who has already shown an interest (there are presently 9
others keen to join in) to come to The Lamb Inn, Rustington anytime
between 7.30pm and 10pm on Monday 7th March to meet up. I will not be
wearing a Fez but this picture gives a rough idea of what I look like."
All welcome, email Tom for more details:
tomcsparks@hotmail.com.
26.2.11
Absurdia - Comedy Cabaret,
Brighton. Brighton's newest monthly comedy night is back at the
Quadrant on March 18th.
Absurdia pitches itself as a cabaret night rather than a stand-up club,
and features an eclectic mix of magic, music and more. As always, your
host is mentalist Peter Campbell-Wells, who will introduce: My Big
Bottom, "Dashing through the outer reaches of pop music, including such
highlights as the first blues song ever written by the Amish; the Kray
twins singing Motown, and a duet between celebrity couple Amy Winehouse
and George Formby." Matt Tiller: "Guitar-wielding comedian, belting out
a mixture of quirky one liners, musical rants and tunes." Simon Ambrose
"Magician, mind-reader and escapologist, covering a range of styles of
magic; from close-up card and coin tricks, to mind-reading or escaping
from straitjackets (and sometimes all at the same time)." Doors open at
8.30pm, with the show beginning at 9pm prompt. Venue: The Quadrant, 12
North Street Quadrant, Brighton. Admission is £5.00 on the door. Advance
tickets can be bought right now via
www.absurdia-brighton.com.
26.2.11
Zane
of 'Zane's Magic Shop' would like customers to know that he has a
number of the very latest effects from Elmwwod Magic and Bizarre de
Magia in stock... "all easy to do yet very powerful." Contact Zane to
find out what he's got. The new products will be on the website shortly
www.zanesmagicshop.com.
26.2.11
Chris
Cox, London, Thursday 12th May. "The UK’s most exciting mind-reader
who can’t read minds Chris Cox is renowned for his incredible ability to
predict the unpredictable. After 4 years of award winning sell out runs
at the Edinburgh Fringe, performances at the New Zealand International
Comedy Festival & UK tours Chris will do his final London show of Mind
Over Patter at the Udderbelly in the Southbank Centre on the 12th May
where he will once again make the impossible possible in this 5 star
show that’ll astound and astonish with a mongrel hybrid mix of mind
reading related nonsense. 'One of the most exciting entertainers in
Britain. Sure to be playing bigger stages here and abroad soon….The
hottest ticket in town' The Guardian. Tickets (£15.50) are
available from
The Southbank Centre or via
www.magiccox.com.
Udderbelly at the Southbank Centre, London, 12th May at 9pm.
26.2.11
Steve
Price AIMC presents his 'Not How - Why' lecture for The Ilford Magic
Society at The Parkside Community Centre, 176 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford,
IG3 9PP (Map)
on Wednesday 2nd March at 8pm. Visitors very welcome; £10 on the door.
www.ilfordmagic.com.
26.2.11
George
Hills will present his new lecture at The Mystic Ring on Thursday
March 3rd. The lecture, entitled Crazy Card Concoctions, will feature
easy to do commercial card magic and will take place at the Dunstable
Conservative Club, 29 High Street North at 7.45pm. Visiting magicians
welcome. Admission £5. For more details email
themysticring@hotmail.com
or visit
www.mysticring.co.uk.
26.2.11
Keith
Cooper, A Magical Life Lecture. The current President of The
International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring, Keith Cooper will
be visiting The Order of The Magi on 8th March to present his lecture “A
Magical Life”. Door charge for non members. Keith Cooper and Carol spent
many years performing in cabaret and on cruise ships. His interest in
our art started at the age of eight and during the talk he will perform
several effects illustrating his magical journey. For those of you who
wish to join Keith in a more social atmosphere he will be one of the
Guests of Honour at our dinner on 19th March. Details are on
www.orderofthemagi.org.uk. The British Ring Convention this year is
being held in Southport from 22nd to 25th September:
www.britishring.org.uk. Geoffrey Newton PRO.
26.2.11
British
Ring Convention Special Junior rates. John Palfreyman emails: The
British Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians are offering
a special Weekend Registration Rate for Juniors who are members of a
Magical Society or are members of a Junior Section attached to a
Society. Would the secretaries of Magical Clubs who have Junior Members,
(18 years and under) or have a Junior Section attached to their Society,
please contact John Palfreyman, 2 The Laurels, Minsterley, Shropshire
SY5 0BL, or email
j.palfreyman@btopenworld.com telephone 01743 792090.
26.2.11
Congratulations
to Simon Sparkles, for being awarded the title Cardiff Magical
Society 'Children's Entertainer of the Year' 2011 following a keenly
fought competition which was held on February 21st.
www.kids-magic-show.co.uk.
26.2.11
BMW
Fob Ring Flight Revolution. Dave Bonsall emails: "On the Sunday at
Blackpool, someone stole a BMW Fob Ring Flight Revolution from Harry
Robson's stand. It’s a very expensive model, one of only a few custom
models like it. Only two people have purchased this one before (I know
who), so if anyone sees a magician using one of these or showing it off,
please do let me know
dave@fingertipmiracles.co.uk. I will give a £50 reward to anyone who
can provide information, anonymously or otherwise, that leads to
identifying this person. It’s not about the money, it’s the principle."
26.2.11
Reg Moores. Nicky Lewis emails: "It is with regret to let everyone know that long term ACES member and all round clever man Reg Moores (inventor of the radio mike to name just one thing!) died at home last week. Reg was a wonderfully modest man who had been an ice-skater, stilt skater in the 1940's and Chief Lighting Engineer of Holiday on Ice. Funeral arrangements available from Martin and Nicky Lewis (President of the ACES) on 01903 532413. This will be a very well attended service and friends are welcome. Many will miss this quiet clever man. Donations to Help the Heroes as requested by Reg. 28.2.11
iCandy,
the new DVD from Lee Smith and Gary Jones is reviewed by Elliott
Hodges this week,
Click Here
• "Criss Angel: A Better Believe"
Click Here • Criss Angel’s Brother, Magic, and His Passion for
Classic Cars"
Click Here • "Napan named Magician of the Year"
Click Here • "Abracadabra: Steve Carell's Magician Comedy Has a
Director"
Click Here • "Paul Daniels accused of racism after 'Paki' tweet"
Click Here • "Steve Carell Comedy ‘Burt Wonderstone’ Finds Director"
Click Here • "Keep the magic alive with secrecy"
Click Here • "Maths magician shows off tricks of his trade"
Click Here • "Leterrier Conjures Now You See Me. Heist thriller will
be magic"
Click Here • "Magician Rick Thomas arrives for tiger act"
Click Here • "New career's on the cards for Jody"
Click Here • "Magician conjures up therapeutic tricks for disabled
kids"
Click Here • "Criss Angel is youngest illusionist to be named to
Hall of Fame"
Click Here • "Secret Life of Houdini"
Click Here • "Making Mickey’s magic"
Click Here • "'Last Greatest Magician' captures life of Howard
Thurston"
Click Here, available from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here
• That's it for another week, many thanks for all your news submissions,
see you next week, Duncan.
28.2.11