Number 708 - 18th January 2014
Steve
Evans. Sue Oakley writes: It is with great sadness, that I am
writing to report the passing of Steve Evans, on Thursday 16th January.
Those of you who knew Steve, will be aware of his two year battle with
cancer and how well he coped and made the most of every minute. He
joined our Circle at Wolverhampton on 11th March 1992 and over the years
has been our President, Secretary and competition winner. In fact last
year he won all of our competitions, the only person to have ever done
so. Steve was also a large part of the British Ring convention and has
compered various events at the Blackpool convention and Kidology. He had
also been a member of the BMS for many years. He has presented his
unique style of lecture at many societies, his last one being at the
Magic Circle in December. I know that he was very proud to have recently
been awarded MIMC with gold star. Most of all Steve was a great friend,
loud, funny and lived life to the full. Our sympathies go to his wife
Septina and daughters Megan and Lauren.
It was Steve's wish that I set up a Just Giving page, for people who would like to make a donation to Compton Hospice in lieu of flowers. We have called the page Steve Evans, Thanks for Coming. All correspondence to Sue Oakley: sueoakley61@gmail.com or mobile 07912 421038.
"Steve Evans death: Brave dad who tweeted frank
accounts of living with incurable cancer dies after long battle"
Click Here
"Farewell to inspirational Steve Evans - hear his last interview"
Click Here
"Steve Evans’ 'final' interview with Richard Bacon" Click Here. 18.1.14
The Jeff McBride Super Session - all new
for Blackpool Convention 2014.
This unique event will never be repeated!
The mission of the Jeff McBride Super Session is to provide our students
with the highest quality magic training in the world and to create a
safe space for serious play and discovery.
This is a learning experience like nothing else in the world.
To realise this purpose we offer practical lessons and hands-on training
in all areas of the art of magic such as:
Presentation, Character Development, Originality, Theatre Arts,
Marketing, Confidence,
Showmanship, Encouragement, Music, Costuming, Improvisation, Movement,
Routining,
Scriptwriting, Lighting, etc. Only 50 places are available in the
Renaissance Suite,
Winter Gardens, Church Street, Blackpool, from 1.00pm to 5.00pm on
Saturday 22nd
February, 2014. This is a Private Event and a fee of £125.00 is payable
in advance. Email Arthur Casson arthurcasson@aol.com or phone 01253
393688 to book. Derek Lever.
18.1.14
Bristol
Day of Magic additions. The organisers of the Bristol Day of Magic
are delighted to announce three more names appearing at their convention
on Sunday, 11th May: "The first, French legend, the zany Gaëtan Bloom,
second, from New Zealand, the fantastic Paul Romhany and last, but by no
means least, from the UK, top mentalist Ian Rowland. This is the largest
one-day magic convention in the UK featuring magic dealers, lectures,
workshops, a masterclass and theatre gala show. Ticket can be purchased
from
www.bristoldayofmagic.com." Ozzy Dee.
18.1.14
Piff the Magic Dragon joins Vegas Nocturne.
Piff the Magic Dragon has moved to Las Vegas and will take up residency
throughout 2014 at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. the $12.8 million social club,
nightclub and restaurant newly opened at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Piff and his levitating, card trick performing Chihuahua sidekick, Mr.
Piffles, will be joining a team curated by Spiegelworld, the producers
behind Absinthe at Caesars Palace.
Over the last few years the duo have performed with The Muppets, toured
with Mumford & Sons, played a hit season at Sydney Opera House, become a
firm Edinburgh Fringe favourite and in 2013 were crowned The Magic
Circle's Stage Magician of the Year 2013-14.
The move to Vegas sees Piff become neighbours with Penn & Teller, the
Las Vegas institutions, whose show Fool Us gave Piff a
career-making break, the YouTube clip of which has over 10 million views
and counting. It was Teller in fact who first leaked the news of Piff’s
relocation.
Vegas Nocturne at Rose. Rabbit. Lie. has its grand opening weekend on
January 17th and 18th. Piff the Magic Dragon will be appearing in the 8pm
and 10pm 'cantos' and hosting Breakfast at Piffany’s on show nights from
midnight to 1am. Rose. Rabbit. Lie. 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV.
Box Office 877.667.0585. Must be 21+ to attend. See
www.roserabbitlie.com
and www.piffthemagicdragon.com.
18.1.14
Close-up artist, invisible thread expert and lecturer Bruno Copin will
make his first ever Irish appearance at
Shenanigans, the Irish Magic
Convention, this coming May. Bruno is held in very high regard within the
industry and known as one of its most creative thinkers. In 2011 Bruno
presented at EMC and in 2013 was invited to participate in the holy
grail of close-up conferences, FFFF. Throughout the weekend Bruno will
present his finest creations, the fruit of over 30 years of invisible
thread work. Through Bruno you will discover an entire universe of
methods to enrich the magic you currently perform.
Already starring Juan Tamariz, John Archer, Morgan & West and Quentin
Reynolds, Shenanigans runs from 2nd-4th May at The Crowne Plaza Hotel,
Blanchardstown. Full registration is unbelievable value at €120 and
includes dealers, over 9 sessions, Friday Finger Food, Saturday Gala
Dinner and Sunday Lunch... and you'll get to hang out with Señor Tamariz.
Find out more info and register at
www.irishmagicconvention.com.
18.1.14
Big Change, No Change and An Old Friend at
this year's International Magic Conference in London!
International Magic are holding last year's Convention prices for
those who register by March 1st for this year's Convention (November
14th, 15th, 16th). To make the most of this offer sign up now at
www.internationalmagic.com for London's Premier Magic Event. Rated
as one of the outstanding Conventions in the world of magic, the
International Magic Convention still manages to maintain a warm family
atmosphere. Located in the intimate Mermaid theatre in
central London it attracts the very cream of international magic
talent. From the biggest established names in magic to many
breakthrough overseas artists, the
programme for the weekend has always been full of talent, surprises and
unforgettable one-off moments.
The Gala Show is a main feature of the Convention, and
following last year' spectacular show, described by many as the best
show they'd seen at any Convention, the level of demand for tickets from
the public already has prompted the organisers to extend the Gala Show
to three nights. So if you're looking for a show to take your family,
friends, clients or work colleagues to, where you can see top
performers in their respective fields, and which makes you proud to be a
magician, start making plans now, as with the Gala Show consistently
selling out over the last few years and the level of demand already
shown, it looks likely that a third night will sell out too. "A fast
paced and well balanced show has always been our aim" says Convention
director Noel Britten, "and this year the show looks to be another
corker, including three overseas magic acts and an absolutely astounding
juggler all making their English debuts at the Convention. With so many
members of the public now attending the show it has to be well-balanced
- magicians might be happy watching six manipulators one after the other,
but lay people want to be constantly surprised by what they see, and this
year I know they will not be disappointed."
A side effect of the extra Gala Show will be that the Friday night
Convention events will now take place at another venue, nearby. This
means that the Friday night tickets will only be available as part of a
full registration, and with limited availability will be on a first come
first served basis
Click Here to book.
As previously announced one of the elements that will make this year's
Convention truly unforgettable is the return engagement of Tom Mullica
who made such an impact at one of International's previous Conventions.
As the creator and driving force being the Tom Foolery Magic Bar, one of
magic's truly great performers and someone who truly has 'funny bones',
Tom will have plenty of advice, anecdotes and laughs to share throughout
the weekend.
18.1.14
Magic
Night at Madame
JoJo's - London. Friday,
February 7th. "Magic Night returns with some mental conundrums, bread
tricks, dartboards, liquid crystal and strumming uke’s.
Magic Night will be going mental in this show with some uber clever
tricks with Ben Hart and his reality baffling magic, turning ordinary
things into awesome other things. Oliver Meech uses a dartboard to
determine the future with bull's eye
results every time, where you are the architect of the events (we
hope you have a good aim). Meanwhile Pete Heat will be using ferrets and
bread in ridiculous but genius magic and all will be interspersed with
Lady Carol's hypnotic sounds on her ukulele and Matt Hennem dancing,
moonwalking and breakdancing around a seemingly levitating crystal Ball.
All expertly compered by Pete Heat." Magic Night at Madame JoJo's. Doors open 7.00pm.
Show starts at 7.45pm. Tickets £12 including entry to Good Foot. Show
ticket plus dinner: £25.
Madame JoJo’s,
8-10 Brewer Street,
London W1F 0SE (Map).
Tickets and more info:
www.magicnight.co.uk.
18.1.14
Brand
new Magic Dave lecture - now booking for 2014. 'Back to the Future
Bookings' with Dave Allen (Magic Dave), The Lecture: "Do you want
more bookings? Of course you do! Let's get people talking about your
show, and make you the entertainer of choice in your area. In this brand
new lecture see Dave Allen performing all new magic, puppet routines and
illusions from his Children’s Magic and Family Shows. Dave shares the
secrets of his office system, how he deals with customer enquiries,
payments, contracts, calls, marketing, promotion and much more." For
full lecture details and to book Dave Allen's lecture for your club or
magic event visit the
Lecturers page.
18.1.14
Mel
Mellers - Watford lecture. Andy Clockwise writes: On
Tuesday 21st January, Mel Mellers, one of the UK's funniest Comedy
Magicians and winner of the Ken Dodd Comedy Award at the Blackpool
Magicians' Convention in 2013, will be lecturing at the Watford
Association of Magicians. Mel has performed all over the world and
promises you "the most fun you've ever had whilst being fooled". The
"lecturetainment" starts at 8pm and doors open at 7.30pm at the
Bricket Wood Social Club, Oak Avenue, Bricket Wood, St. Albans, Herts.
AL2 3LQ (Map).
£10 temporary visitors fee payable for non WAM members. This is going to
be one "roller coaster" night of fun!
18.1.14
Scrapbook Magazine
is a fresh, new magazine from Alaisdair McCova (aka Alexander de Cova)
to be published nearly every other Friday. It contains some of the nicest
ideas, tricks, routines and essays that the author could think of!
Innovative material for present day performers. There's no subscription
- simply pay per issue when it is ready and advertised, as a PDF
download. Issue number 1 is out now priced at €5.00 (about £4.00 / $7.00).
Available directly from
www.solidmagic.org
or www.lybrary.com.
Alaisdair sent me through a sample copy - it looks great. DT.
18.1.14
Ben Train lectures in Edinburgh.
This Wednesday 22nd January at 7.30pm
Canadian card superstar Ben Train will present his lecture at the Nine
of Diamonds meeting. Fresh from The Session, Ben will be
teaching routines and magic from across the board, from self working tricks
through to sleight of hand routines and beyond.
Downstairs at the Traverse Theatre (off Lothian Road).
All welcome, £10
entry. Under 18s welcome too, but have to be out of the bar by 10pm. Ian
Kendall.
18.1.14
Danny
Cole York Lecture: "On the 12th March it is the York Society of Magicians President's
Night. Danny Cole from the USA will be lecturing for us. We are
opening this lecture up to non-members at a cost of £5 per person. The
venue is
Dringhouses Sports Club,
St. Helens Road,
York
YO24 1HR (Map)"
For more information contact Adrian Salamon
contact@yorksocietyofmagicians.co.uk.
18.1.14
Chris
Stevenson AIMC Lecture - Peterborough Society of Magicians. John
Learoyd writes: Chris Stevenson AIMC will be presenting a
lecture at Peterborough Millfield Community Centre at 7.30pm on Tuesday
18th February. Chris is an award winning champion of magic
having won the title 'British Close-up Champion of Magic 2012'
(Blackpool Magicians' Convention) as well as many
other awards. Chris is a most amusing, entertaining and amazing
magician. Being very dedicated to the art of magic makes his magic both
outstanding and truly unforgettable.
Admission for adult non-members £10, juniors and students £3, this
includes tea/coffee during interval. Doors open at 7pm, lecture
commences 7.30pm. Venue:
The Millfield Community Centre, New England Complex, Lincoln Road,
Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map).
www.psmagicians.org.uk
www.chrismagic.co.uk.
18.1.14
Magic Cheerleading.
'Magic Eagles' is the biggest illusion act ever created for the German
Championships of Magic. Twenty-two football cheerleaders and two
Illusionists had to fill the stage with their dances and
illusions. Quick Change expert Lex Schoppi created a spectacular
quick change act for the piece, which took place on top of a human pyramid
in just one second! The act was placed first in the German Championships
of Magic on January 12th, so The Magic Eagles now are the German
Champions of Grand Illusions.
www.youtube.com also see Magic Eagles:
www.zweizauberer.de and
www.lexschoppimagic.com.
18.1.14
Northern Magic Circle President's Dinner. The Northern Magic Circle President's Dinner (Dr Roger
Woods, President 2013 - 2014) takes place at 7.30pm on Saturday 15th
February. Tickets are £32 per person (cheques
payable to "The Northern Magic Circle") and are available from Roger
Woods (telephone 01706 212570 email
woods.roger1953@gmail.com).
The top table guest will be Neil Roberts, President of the British Ring
of the IBM, and the cabaret artists are Dave Andrews, Shaun McCree and
Peter Dean. It will be a superb evening, so if you fancy a lovely
weekend in the Lancashire countryside with a splendid meal and first
class entertainment, please order your tickets now! Contact the Hotel directly, telephone 01254 240662, if you require
accommodation. The Foxfields Country Hotel is also nearby, telephone
01254 822556.
Venue: Mytton Fold Hotel, Langho, Blackburn, Lancashire BB6 8AB (Map)
www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk.
John Russell P.R.O.
18.1.14
Wayne
Fox presents his brand new Lecture Dem that will take you on a magical journey of his favourite 'out of the box'
magical products from Magic Direct (www.magicdirect.com)
at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 22nd January for the Derby Magic Circle, Breadsall Village Hall, Derby.
Visiting magicians are very welcome and there is a small fee
payable on the night. Please contact our secretary Allan Humphries on
01889 590 975 prior to attending. For more information about our
programme ahead visit
www.derbymagiccircle.com. Paul Sharp.
18.1.14
The
Session is reviewed by Elizabeth Warlock this week... "Guest of
Honour was Guy Hollingworth who showed what a master he is, not just with
a deck of cards but in his presentation of the effects. There was his
version of Twisting the Aces using Kings called Waving the Aces, an Ace
Assembly and reverse, pulling the Aces and the whole deck through the
lining of his jacket, Oil and Water, signed card revelation, and that
truly magical torn and restored card. A barrister by profession,
nevertheless he is the epitome of a professional magician and can take
his place among the very best. It was a virtuoso performance.
Immediately following this was an interview with Andi Gladwin and Joshua
Jay before being presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a
standing ovation." To read the full Session review
Click Here.
18.1.14
MagicWorld
Custom Card Printing Service: "Imagine being able to have your
business card, or custom card printed directly onto your favourite
cards... Bicycles! Now you can turn this into a reality with
MagicWorld's custom card printing service! We can print any image or
design you provide, directly onto either Red or Blue backed or regular
face/blank bicycles, to the highest digital quality! Book now, to be on
our first run (estimated 28th January) and order anything from 5 cards
to a full deck. Place your order for our next run at:
www.magicworld.co.uk/magic-shop/custom-card-printing then upload
your image with the correct dimensions and resolution via the form at:
www.magicworld.co.uk/custom-printed-playing-cards.html. You can also
view information on the currently available print date on this page,
until we move the printing in-house when we will then offer a 2 day
service! Alternatively pm me on Facebook via our page:
www.facebook.com/magicworlduk. Future methods for printing full
decks and larger quantities coming soon!"
18.1.14
Dave
Bonsall lectures at The Surrey Society of Magicians on Thursday 23rd
January. "With charming style and intangible humour, David provides a
unique and exquisite entertainment experience for both social and
corporate occasions. His modern and skilful approach to the art of
close-up magic has made him one of the most sought after close-up
magicians in the UK. He is often the entertainer of choice for many of
the world’s largest blue chip corporations, celebrities and politicians
who are seeking to wow their clients, colleagues or friends with an
experience they will never forget" Members are free and visiting
magicians are welcome for a £10 entrance fee. The lecture takes place in
Bookham, Surrey at 8pm. For full details email Adam Mosley
info@surreymagic.org.uk.
Dave Bonsall also runs
PropDog.
18.1.14
Mark
Edward Lecture/gigs - booking for April. Mark
Edward is a professional mentalist with over thirty-five years
performance experience. As one of only five mediums in the history of
Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle, he performed fifteen years of séances
that helped him perfect the role of psychic entertainer. His segment as
a spirit medium on the pilot episode of “Penn & Teller’s BS!”
helped secure an Emmy Award nomination. His other TV credits include
A&E’s “Houdini, the Great Escape,” NBC’s “The Other Side” and “Secrets
of the Psychics Revealed,” The Sci-Fi Channel’s “Mysteries, Magic and
Miracles,” The Discovery Channel’s “Forces Beyond” and TLC’s “Exploring
the Unknown” with Michael Shermer. Mark will be in the UK in April
appearing at QED
(Question, Explore, Discover) the two-day science and skepticism
convention taking place at the Palace Hotel in Manchester. He'd be happy
to hear from magic clubs and bookers in the North to tie in a few
lectures/gigs at around that time. Contact via
www.themarkedward.com.
18.1.14
Magic
Worlds Exhibition, Liverpool. World Museum invites you to enter a
world of enchantment, illusion and fantasy with this new family friendly
exhibition. Magic Worlds explores ethereal realms of fairies, folklore,
wizards and witches. More than 150 objects are on display in the
exhibition, including Harry Potter’s broomstick, Sooty and his wand, the
Cottingley fairy photographs, a stage suit worn by the popular magician
Harold Taylor and examples of Fairyland Lustre Wedgwood ceramics from
the 20s and 30s. Geoffrey Newton reports on his recent visit this week,
Click Here.
18.1.14
Dave
Hutchinson takes over as President of the Manchester Circle of Magicians
and faces a year packed with 12 lectures, 6 auctions, competitions
and
teach-ins, all for £20. The next event is an auction on Monday
20th January. Mike Hinde, secretary.
mike.hinde@ntlworld.com.
www.taurusmagic.net/manchester.html.
18.1.14
Malcolm
Yaffe. Franklin Arbisman remembers Malcolm Yaffe. It is with great
sadness that I have to announce the passing of Malcolm Yaffe age 76. I
only knew Malcolm since I moved up to Leeds, West Yorkshire in 1983 when
I joined the Leeds Magical Association where he was a member. To anyone
who knew him will remember he was short in stature but a giant in
personality. He was incredibly knowledgeable in all forms of magic and
regularly wrote articles in a number of different magazines including
Repro 71 and Abra. Malcolm specialised in children’s entertainment
performing regularly in a wizard costume going by the name of Myster
Yaffe. Malcolm was also a very skilful close-up entertainer. He had a
love of magic since he was the young age of ten, but I remember Malcolm
telling me that his parents said he would never make a living as a
magician, so he studied to become a solicitor, but the magic bug would
not leave him, so he established himself as a full time entertainer in
1980. Malcolm also was a great linguist and wrote on many different
subjects apart from magic and was in the process of writing three
novels, having completed two of them. Malcolm had been ill on and off
for some time and with having throat problems sadly meant that he had to
give up his love for entertaining. He leaves behind his wife Meryl and
is the father of Dov, Danny, Samantha. Sorrel and Anya. He will be
greatly missed. Franklin Arbisman.
18.1.14
Bob
Hayden. Details of Bob's funeral are as follows: Friday 24th January
at 1pm at Wessex Vale Crematorium, Bubb Lane, West End, Southampton SO30
2HL. Telephone 01489 786617. Donations in memory of Bob to: The
Macmillan Nurses, c/o Matthew Haines, Jonathan Terry Undertakers, 3
College Place, London Road, Southampton SO15 2FB.
18.1.14
"Illusionist
2.0 star Scott Lewis dies in tragic Sydney accident"
Click Here • "Hypnotist Scott Lewis' fatal, six-floor plunge a
mystery to police"
Click Here • "Hypnotist Scott Lewis, who died in Sydney balcony
fall, 'was clumsy'"
Click Here.
18.1.14
"Canadian magician Murray Sawchuck claims performers stole his illusion"
Click Here • "Penn & Teller Will Bring ‘Fool Us’ to the U.S. on The CW"
Click Here • "Interview with Andrew Mayne of 'Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne,' new
A&E series"
Click Here • "How Andrew Mayne Uses Magic To Tell Stories--And Screw With
People At The Same Time"
Click Here • "Now You See the Motorcycle, Now You Don’t"
Click Here • "Dynamo Magician Impossible pulls in the viewers on BBC One"
Click Here • "All You Need To Know About David Blaine"
Click Here • "Band of Magicians – review"
Click Here • "Welsh actor returns to his home city with a drama
about Houdini"
Click Here • "Derren Brown: 'I love technology, but I don't know if it's
improved my life'"
Click Here • "‘I’m dishonest about my dishonesty’"
Click Here •
"Max Landis Is Pushing The Harry Houdini Biopic In A Crazy, Lovecraftian
Direction"
Click Here • "Retro: Houdini saw great escape in city attic"
Click Here • "Raleigh Housing Authority: Where the streets have magicians’
names"
Click Here • And finally, "Magnetic Levitation In Slow Motion - Slo Mo #43 -
Earth Unplugged"
Click Here •
Many thanks to everyone who sent in news recently. See you next week, Duncan.
18.1.14