Number 590 - 15th October 2011

 

Magician Steven Frayne Gets Back to Reality. "The British magician talks to The Wall Street Journal Europe about how he starts his weekend. Blending visual illusions, stunts and card tricks with elements of break dance and hip-hop, Steven Frayne continues to prove the old adage that the hand is quicker than the eye. This summer, the 28-year-old performer, known by his stage name Dynamo, appeared to walk on water. As onlookers crowded Westminster Bridge in central London, Mr. Frayne crossed part of the River Thames to promote his four-part television series 'Magician Impossible,' which will be released on DVD in the U.K. on Oct. 17..." To read the full article in The Wall Street Journal Europe Click Here. Meanwhile back home Dynamo guests on Never Mind the Buzzcocks at 10pm on Monday 24th October and also joins Vernon Kay on BBC Radio One from 10am this morning. See TV Magic. To pre-order Dynamo Magician Impossible from Amazon.co.uk Click Here. 15.10.11

 

Going... going... gone. With just over a month to go before the International Convention (18th-20th November) and the London Festival of Magic (14th-20th November) now is the time to register as some of the events are close to being full (the Sunday Night performance of the Gala Show) and some have only just a handful of places left (the Saturday Night performance of the Gala Show). Don't be as disappointed as those who left it too late and missed out on the Max Maven Show (now completely sold out, although you can join the wait list). The Convention has something for everyone, whilst the individual day seminars during the week concentrating separately on Advanced Card Technique, Mentalism, Creativity, Marketing and Making Magic Memorable allow you to focus on your special area of interest and spend even more time with the stars of the Convention. Full details: www.internationalmagic.com. 15.10.11

 

David and Karen 'Magic Is Back Live' "Magic partners, David Penn and Karen Tomkins have wowed audiences from Las Vegas to China and were seen recently on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent by 15 million people. This show is an incredible experience for all the family to enjoy that will leave you totally amazed." 7.30pm on Sunday 30th October at the Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP (Map). Tickets £24, £21, £18, £11. For more info and to book visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk or call 01604 624811. Video highlights Click Here. 15.10.11

 

The Innovention is back! Paul Stone writes: "After The Innovention 2010 Convention in October 2010 it was never my intention to produce another one but, because so many people have asked me to reconsider, I’ve decided to produce Innovention 2012 in Las Vegas, on October 1-4, 2012. Innovention 2012 will be at a new venue! We’re delighted to announce that the Convention has moved to the Gold Coast Hotel & Casino, located next to the Rio and across from the Palms and very close to the Las Vegas ‘Strip’. The Gold Coast Hotel & Casino has an attractive Cabaret style Showroom, excellent meeting rooms and comfortable accommodation. (We’ve been able to negotiate a truly fantastic room rate of just $40 plus tax for Premium Rooms – Single or Double occupancy for Innovention Delegates!). All the facilities are conveniently located, so there’s no need to walk miles to every session! And, if you want to visit the ‘Strip’, it is close by. What makes the Innovention 2012 so different? The number of attendees is limited to 275; Outstanding talent; Surprise guests; Innovative Lectures and Workshops; Best technical production of any Magic Convention; Unbeatable accommodation room rates; Superb location; Great value for money. We opened pre-registration for those who attended Innovention 2010 two weeks ago, and many have already booked again. General Registration is $345 - the same price as in 2010 but if you register by November 30, we'll knock off $50, so you'll pay just $295. Remember we limit the numbers to 275 and so we recommend that you don't wait too long to register. You don't want to miss this outstanding event! To take advantage of the special discount offer, for more information, and to find out how to register, email info@innovention2012.com." 15.10.11

 

Globetrotting Geordie Daredevil Chris Cross Escapes to Victory! Chris's live stunt on Friday 7th October to launch the Big Splash Festival on Newport’s Riverside saw the performer strapped up, hanging upside down, trying to get out of a straitjacket! Click Here to watch the escape and visit www.chris-cross.co.uk to find out more about this dramatic stunt. 15.10.11

 

Close-up Magic at The Magic Circle. "Join us for intimate evening of entertainment! Close-Up magic is one of the most popular and impressive forms of the art and this event showcases some of the best exponents. Audiences get to meet the performers and experience the magic in the intimate setting of The Magic Circle Headquarters in London, often taking part themselves. An amazing collection of close-up magicians presenting superlative magic right before your very eyes. Seeing is believing! Next performance: Saturday 29th October. Currently featuring: The multi-award winning talents of Michael Vincent, Will Houstoun, Tom Whitestone and Chris Wood. Doors Open 7.00pm - Show starts at 7.30pm and finishes at approximately 9.30pm. All seats are £15 with special reduction to £10 for Members and Friends of The Magic Circle. To book visit www.themagiccircle.co.uk. 15.10.11

 

Another Magic Moments day has come and gone. Updates are still being gathered, but the first news is that this year's event has been the most successful to date. In a year of economic gloom and doom magicians managed to raise smiles and so far over £14,500 for charities! And all in a day's work. The African Orphan Magic Trick appeal collected over 450 tricks, which will be shipped out to the orphaned children of Zimbabwe. The Magic Moments team thank everyone for assisting and donating their time, tricks and efforts. To read a full report of monies raised to date Click Here. If you raised money for a charity on the day but haven't been in touch yet then email details and the total raised to magicmoments@live.co.uk. Never resting for a moment, the date for the 5th Magic Moments Day has been set: Saturday 6th October 2012. Visit the Magic Moments page for more information. 15.10.11

 

IBM British Ring Convention 2012 - they want to hear from you! The dates of the IBM British Ring 2012 Convention to be held in Great Yarmouth are 26th – 30th September and the new convention organisers Peter Scarlett and David Ball are starting to put ideas together but they need feedback from conventioneers, whether they are members of the British Ring or not. What do you want to see in a convention? Please spare a few moments to fill in the questionnaire on www.magicconvention.co.uk and let them know. They will use their best endeavours to accommodate reasonable requests. How many days should it be? What are your priorities regarding lectures, shows, competitions, and many other events? All this information will be closely looked at, so why not be a part of making Great Yarmouth, Great! Geoffrey Newton PRO. 15.10.11

 

Halloween Ghost Walks. Magician and ghost hunter Chris Stokes will be reopening the creaking doors of one of Britain's most haunted buildings this month just in time for Halloween. The Staffordshire-based illusionist will begin a new round of 'Chris Stokes Ghost Tours' at the famous Leopard Hotel in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, on Sunday October 30th. The town centre inn hides an astonishing 55-bedroomed Victorian hotel which closed to the public in the 1950s and has been the scene of alleged paranormal activity ever since. Chris leads ghost hunters on a 60-minute tour of the creepy cellars and abandoned hotel using magic, illusion and story-telling to create a uniquely spine-tingling adults only experience which ends with a 'séance' in the hotel's famed Red Room. Tickets cost £25 per person, to include two course meal and hour-long tour. They are available by ringing The Leopard on 01782 819 644. Venue: The Leopard Hotel, 21 Market Place, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST6 3AA (Map) www.chrisstokesmagic.co.uk. 15.10.11

 

Award winning Children's Ventriloquist and Magician, David Tomkins is now taking magic lecture bookings for 2012. David's lecture is ideal for magical societies, club nights and magic conventions. Experience original and creative children's magic not seen in any other lecture. As a professional ventriloquist, he includes a section on puppets too and having turned full-time professional at sixteen, has a wealth of experience to share. David has lectured at The Magic Circle, London, The International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention, Southport and The Blackpool Convention. Visit the MagicWeek Lecturers page for more information and to make contact. (I saw a part of David's children's show a number of years ago and it was really excellent, captivating the whole audience. DT). 15.10.11

 

Mel Mellers Twists & Turns. Russ Stevens at RSVPMagic.com tell us that they are just about to release a brand new Mel Mellers DVD Twists & Turns: "Sit back, relax and enjoy a unique experience. Welcome to the world of Mel Mellers, a place where he discusses bad music, awkward audience members, fashion mistakes and 8 Brand New Routines! As a free bonus, included is a stage performance of previous material using new gags and bits of business. The new routines all use items that you probably already own." Watch the trailer on www.rsvpmagic.com (Running time 2 hours 30 Minutes, worldwide playback). 15.10.11

 

The Ultimate Nudist Deck - Ken Brooke (Mental Photography). News from Malcolm Norton of www.topsecretmagic.co.uk: "Finally, after however many years that this project has been on my shelf, I have managed to finish the instructions and make a batch of this great classic trick. Here's the effect: The magician fans and spreads though a deck of cards and shows both sides to be completely blank. He concentrates on a playing card (which he names), cuts the deck, and magically prints the face of that card! But, it has no back. The rest of the deck is shown still blank. Next a back appears, but it has no face. Now he makes faces and backs appear on all the cards, which are clearly shown on both sides. Finally all the printing disappears and the magician ends up where he started with a completely blank deck of cards. Completely self contained, an ideal trick for table-hopping. Instantly ready for a repeat performance. This is the Classic Ken Brooke style cut 'on the slant' - you can show both sides of the deck at any time. Printed or blank, front and back! This was, and still is the ultimate version of R. W. Hull's 'Mental Photography / Nudist - Deck' as put out by Ken Brooke. Painstakingly crafted here at the Top Secret HQ. I promise you won't be disappointed! 'M' www.topsecretmagic.co.uk." 15.10.11

 

Northern Magic Circle President's Day. Northern Magic Circle President Terry Crawford will be hosting his President's Day at Croftlands Community Centre, Central Drive, Ulverston in Cumbria; 12 noon until 8pm, tomorrow, Sunday 16th October. There will be a buffet on arrival and again prior to the evenings mini Gala Show. A fun quiz from Dave Simpson, magic from Brian Lead, plus a surprise lecture. The evening show will star past president Su Jayne, daughters Leah Mae and Sara Jade, with help from Gary Dunn. A great day out for only £10, just turn up and pay on the door www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk. Alan Mylecraine. 15.10.11

 

Portsmouth Jumbo Day Close Up Sessions. The line up for the Portsmouth Jumbo Day Close Up Sessions can now be announced. Matthew Garrett, Wayne Fox, Chris Webb and Ben Williams will be performing on the day. The Star Lecture will be by Brad Manuel. The Gala Show will feature Brad Manuel, John Kimmons (photo), High Jinx, Neil Kelso and The Vox Brothers. If you'd like to save some money and beat the queues, register for Fast Track tickets at only £17.00 per person via www.jumboday.co.uk by Tuesday, 18th October. 15.10.11

 

The Slammer. A new series of the popular children's television show The Slammer is back on CBBC in which a group of entertainers enter a mock prison, and perform their acts to be voted 'free'. The show often features magicians and illusionists. (I’ve just watched programme 2 of the new series of The Slammer on iPlayer. Ventriloquist John Kimmons won a couple of weeks ago, reports Philip Partridge) Catch up on iPlayer. 15.10.11

 

South Downs Magicians are staging a fundraising show next Saturday, 22nd October. Nine club members will be taking part in the stage show, including last month's stage competition winner Paul Martin. The club's president Robin Carr and immediate past president Jonathan Cann will share compère duties and the evening will include close-up magic, both before the show and during the interval. The show is at Handcross Parish Hall, High Street, Handcross, West Sussex RH17 6BJ (Map). Doors open at 6.45pm and the stage show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6.00 from South Downs Magicians secretary Paul Bromley on 01444 871161. Refreshments available. Money raised will be used in part to fund a replacement community centre when the lease on the current Edwardian hall runs out in 2014. 15.10.11

 

Mindforce. Mentalist Chris North presents his stage show 'Mindforce' at the Fisher Theatre in Bungay, Suffolk at 7.30pm on Saturday 22nd October. Tickets £9 - (concessions £8). Any magicians wishing attend email Chris at mindforce@live.com and you will receive a password enabling you to purchase a full price ticket for just £7 YouTube. www.mindforce.biz. 15.10.11

 

Merlins of Wakefield will be at The Magic Circle Dealers Day in London on Saturday 29th October, and will have the Ultimate Power Pack by Bob Swadling on their stand. Bob developed the Power Pack over 10 years ago. Since then he has tweaked, tinkered and re-thought this incredible unit, to finally arrive at perfection in the shape of The Ultimate Power Pack. These are now available to order from Merlins of Wakefield who can bring your order to the Circle Day to save on postage. They are only available from two dealers in the UK and are in limited quantities. If you are interested, contact Merlins of Wakefield now! 15.10.11

 

Andrew Van Buren & Allyson will be appearing in the Good Old Days at City Varieties Music Hall Leeds on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th October. Romany is also on the bill. This appearance is a special show for Andrew as it 50 years, give or take a day or two, since his mother and father Fred Van Buren & Greta made their first television appearance, as the Amazing Yoxani's, on 'The Good Old Days' from City Varieties Leeds. 50 years on and the Van Burens are still going strong, as is this historic theatre too. 15.10.11

 

Carnival of Freaks - Bizarre Cabaret, London. "An evening of comedy, magic and the bizarre, featuring The Magic Skinhead (The Man Who Knows) Tennyson Hanbury, Matt G The Mentalist, The Magic of James Prichard and the hilarious Gemma Ensenat plus many more. This twisted cabaret show is one not to miss and to top it off entry is free. Sunday, 16th October, 8pm to 11pm at The Comedy Pub (next to the Comedy Store), 7 Oxendon Street, London SW1Y 4EE (Map). 15.10.11

 

Sean Heydon lecture, Blackpool. Madcap magician Sean Heydon will be lecturing at Blackpool Magicians’ Club on Thursday, 27th October. Although comedy is at the forefront of his performances the magic is strong as well. Billed as 'The Alternative Magician' Sean performs stunts and illusions in his own inimitable style which has resulted in appearances at some of the world’s most prestigious venues. Members and Associates are in for a fun-filled evening packed with practical knowledge based on many years’ experience performing on stage, television, in restaurants, on cruise ships and at corporate events. The evening is open to all members and associates of Blackpool Magicians’ Club at their headquarters to the rear of 1 Sherbourne Road, North Shore, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 2PW. Doors open from 6.30pm. www.blackpoolmagic.com. 15.10.11

 

Craig Petty is lecturing at the Leicester Magic Circle this Monday, 17th October. Craig will be performing some new material together with his old classics. £10 for non members, visitors welcome. Directions to the LMC HQ can be found here: www.leicestermagiccircle.co.uk. 15.10.11

 

Chris Harding emails "I am delighted to have been shortlisted in the Best Wedding Entertainment category of the Kent Wedding Awards 2011! I am the only magician to have been put through to the final and consider it a great honour to be recognised in this way. The awards recognise excellence in various branches of the wedding industry and are judged by a panel consisting of three couples, an independent entrepreneur and several other wedding professionals." For more information visit www.chris-harding.co.uk. 15.10.11

 

Roy Zaltsman's Unpublished Magic Tutorials project is growing! Over 1,000 magicians and mentalists from all over the world are now receiving video tutorials every two weeks performed by top notch magicians including: Aaron Fisher, Thom Peterson, Manuel Muerte, Flip Hallema and Gregory Wilson. To receive the tutorials sign up at: www.telepathy.co.il/unpublished. 15.10.11

 

Fylde Mystics Yearbook. Paul Joyce reports: At the recent IBM Convention in Southport, the youngest member of Fylde Mystics, 11 year old Jonathan Joyce, had the honour of presenting a copy of their 2011 Yearbook to their honorary member and current FISM World Champion Shawn Farquhar. There are some copies of the yearbook still available. For further information please contact Alan Mylecraine at info@fyldemystics.co.uk. 15.10.11

 

The Karnival of Kitsch with Freddie Valentine and Holly Blue, London. "High kicking lothario and king of the cabaret freaks, Lord Freddie Valentine, along with his sidekick jazzy songstress Holly Blue, bring you a night of extreme joy-inducing variety! All of the acts have been hand picked by Freddie & Holly from the UK’s cabaret harvest and they have selected only the finest for your delectation including mindreading and magic." 7.30pm on 3rd November, price £5.00, at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, 372 Kennington Lane, London SE11 5HY (Map) Visit www.vanderbelt.co.uk for full details. 15.10.11

 

The New Kindle is here! 30% lighter than before, less than 170 grams, 18% smaller body, same 6" screen size - fits in your pocket. The most advanced E Ink display; it reads like paper! Built-in Wi-Fi - Get books in 60 seconds, and 10% faster page turns for seamless reading. £89 including free delivery from Amazon.co.uk Click Here (MagicWeek receives a small commission from Amazon.co.uk on sales generated from links on MagicWeek). 15.10.11

 

"Passion Sells Dynamo: Magician Impossible" Click Here • "Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin in Stamford on October 16‎" Click Here • "Joe has magic on the cards" Click Here • "Jim Carrey & Steve Carell Team For Magician Comedy Burt Wonderstone" Click Here • "Create Pure Magic" Click Here • Your UK magic news is always welcomed - see you next week, Duncan. 15.10.11

 

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