Number
870 - 25th February 2017
Blackpool rocked!
The Blackpool Magicians Club 65th Annual Convention (and FISM European
Championships 2017) was another huge success this year, featuring some
of the very finest magic and magicians from around the world. Young Min
Kim was sensational on the Sunday night gala. If you weren't there, then
please wait to see him live rather than hunting him out on YouTube. You
really need to see this act live to be captured by its very magical
spell as the impossible unfolds before your eyes. In the same show Paul
Zenon proved to be a brilliant choice of emcee - in what is often the
toughest role Paul was just perfect. In fact there were many, many real
stand-out performers over the full four days of 24/7 magic. Club
President Michael Shepherd and the entire convention team did an
excellent job in staging such a mammoth event and next year's dates are
already set: Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th February 2018
(with a 'Mega-Auction' on Thursday 15th for early arrivals).
www.blackpoolmagic.com. The FISM European Championships 2017 were a
popular addition and the official results have been released,
congratulations to all the winners,
Click Here.
DT.
25.2.17
The
House Magicians with guest magician Matthew Wright. Friday 3rd March, at
Smoke & Mirrors, 8 Denmark Street, Bristol BS1 5DQ (Map).
To book
Click Here, plus 'Marvelous Matthew Wright lecture' on Sunday 5th March, to
book
Click Here. Also see
www.smokeandmirrorsbar.co.uk.
25.2.17
Jon
Allen on London Today. This week, from The
MagicWeek Video Archive, Jon Allen in a guest appearance on London Today
following his success in becoming The Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the
Year. 16th October 2001. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with past weeks
Click Here.
25.2.17
Jamie
Raven Tour - just four dates left. There are just four dates left on
Jamie's current tour:
25th February 2017 - Playhouse, Harlow;
26th February 2017 – Broadway, Letchworth;
27th February 2017 – Hexagon Theatre, Reading and 28th February 2017 – The Castle Theatre,
Wellingborough. For more info and to book visit:
www.jamieraven.co.uk/tour.
25.2.17
Martin
Gardiner wins Family Entertainer of the Year 2017 competition in Blackpool.
Known as Magic Martin in his children's show or Mr Eerius with his stage cabaret
act, Martin won the South West heat of the competition late last year. The final
took place on Saturday 19th February at the Blackpool Magic Convention.
Competing against six magicians Martin showed his best tricks in a 15-minute
set. His audience consisted of local children and their families, plus magicians
attending the four-day convention at the Blackpool Winter Gardens. Martin was
judged on his showmanship, originality, skill, magical content and entertainment
value. The 32-year-old is on cloud nine after winning 1st place and said: "It
was a real honour to be chosen to take part this year. I felt it was a great
achievement as I have been working as a magician and entertainer for 15 years
starting out with my wife in our illusion act Celtic Storm, and have always
dreamt of taking part in the Blackpool competition. This has to be the highlight
of my career." Photo: President Michael Shepherd making the presentation.
25.2.17
Fameless Prankers on Comedy Central: "A magician's apprentice watches his big break vanish into thin air." 11pm on Monday 6th March on Comedy Central. See TV Magic. 25.2.17
Fay
Presto was involved in a near fatal car accident on her way home from the
Blackpool Convention on Monday 20th. Someone hit her car from the side and it
flipped straight over. The car is a write-off but thankfully Fay isn't, apart
from
a few bumps and bruises. Luckily, Lee Hathaway was also on his way back from the
convention, traveling just 20 minutes behind, so managed to pick up Fay and take
her back to London. Fay wrote on Facebook: "The love and support has been overwhelming, and thank you all for the support
and seriously concrete assistance supplied by many getting me through this.
Lee Hathaway and Shaun Ames were unutterably brilliant, getting me and the kit
back, as was Mandy Muden who sat up all night and made damn sure I did the right
thing and went to A&E to get checked out." Fay is on tour with The
Champions of Magic starting on March 18th in Yeovil, see
www.championsofmagic.co.uk.
25.2.17
Modern
Magic, The Charlotte Street Hotel, London. Prepare to believe in magic!
Downstairs in the sumptuous screening room at the Charlotte Street Hotel, an
audience will have their minds read, senses manipulated and experience some of
the most astonishing feats of modern magic. During the Golden Age of Magic at
the turn of the 20th Century, illusions were performed in private rooms by
parlour magicians. Rarely does an audience today get this up close and intimate
view of great magic. Jake's new show does exactly that, bringing magic right up
to date and amazing his audience with incredible sleight of hand, pure mind
reading and baffling illusion. Sit down and relax as Jake takes you
on a journey of dapper deception, sophisticated sleight of hand and mischievous
mind games. Saturday 25th March at 8pm. Tickets: £20 Parlour, £30 Front Row.
Venue: The Charlotte Street Hotel, 15 - 17 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RJ (Map).
www.modernmagic.co.uk.
25.2.17
The
Gathering, Great Yarmouth. Stephen Bolam writes: Our next gathering will be
at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7th March, at The St George Hotel, 7-10 Albert Square,
Great Yarmouth, Norfolk NR30 3JH (Map). The aim of the
evenings is to allow magicians to meet and socialise, and exchange ideas, in a
relaxed atmosphere. Our social evenings are free of charge and there will be a
free buffet, and you will be able to buy drinks from the bar.
The evening starts at 7.30pm, so come along and
enjoy the atmosphere.
This is a temporary venue for our January and February meetings. We will be back
to our regular venue (St. George Hotel) in March.
If anyone wants go come along, please email
thegathering@mail.com or you can
phone Kyle on 07982 819727 for further information.
25.2.17
Northamptonshire
Magicians Club – Celebrating 90 Years! Matthew Garrett writes: on Tuesday
28th February at Brafield on the Green Working Men’s Club, Brafield on the
Green, Northampton NN7 1BD (Map)
past NMC President Anthony Owen will join us for an Interview and a Q&A session,
together with video clips and a live performance featuring favourite material
and explanations. Buffet included. Free for NMC Members, £10 charge for guests
(welcome). The evening starts at 8pm prompt, and will end at around 10pm
www.northamptonshiremagicians.uk.
25.2.17
A
Brief History of Magic, Moyse's Hall Museum, Bury St Edmunds. Friday 17th
March at 7.30pm. Take a journey through the history of magic as entertainment at
this illustrated talk at Moyse's Hall Museum, with episodes from the first magic
performers through to modern day magicians such as Paul Daniels and Dynamo.
Local magic historian and master illusionist Marco Pusterla will present some
obscure and amazing facts about the history of magic and introduce some of the
most famous magicians: from Scotto to Chung Ling Soo, from Bosco to Houdini,
from Pinetti to Chefalo, from Maskelyne to Hofzinser, and many more. A whirlwind
tour through the ages, touching all continents, this is a talk you won't want to
miss! There may be even some magical demonstrations! Venue: Moyse's Hall Museum,
Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1DX (Map).
Website:
Click Here.
25.2.17
Marco
Pusterla - An Evening of Wonder, Moyse's Hall Museum, Bury St Edmunds.
Friday 24th March at 7.30pm. Prepare to be beguiled as Magician Marco Pusterla
performs some of his favourite tricks at Moyse's Hall Museum. The evening will
start with an intimate performance by Marco in the Great Hall, followed by a
unique opportunity to explore the museum and the magic exhibition at night.
Marco Pusterla, is a member of The Magic Circle, a magic award winner, and one
of the most respected historians on the art of magic worldwide. He is the author
of books on magic and the publisher of a magazine dedicated to the history of
magic and to the business of magic collecting. In his almost 40 years of
interest in conjuring, Marco has gathered a large collection of magic
memorabilia spanning almost 500 years of the history of this popular form of
entertainment. Owner of a large magic library (more than 3,000 volumes),
lithograph posters from the golden age of magic, photos of well-known and lesser
known magicians, Marco's collection is considered by many one of the finest in
private hands. A native of Italy, Marco is known as the worldwide expert of
Chefalo, the most famous Italian illusionist of the 20th century. Marco's magic
career has seen him perform magic worldwide and act as a consultant on
television and for illusionists, including the current top prize winner in the
Illusions category at the World Magic Championship. Venue: Moyse's Hall Museum,
Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1DX (Map).
Website:
Click Here.
25.2.17
Dealers
set to showcase at Magic Convention. Delegates heading to this year’s South
Tyneside International Magic Festival will get the chance to browse the latest
tricks, effects and more from some of the biggest dealers in the business. From
16th-19th March, leading magicians from Asia, the USA and the UK will head to
South Shields to take part in the 14th annual event. Once again,
Magicbox in Newcastle
will be leading the exhibitors. As official sponsor of the festival for the 14th
year, Graeme Shaw, magician and partner at the firm says the event is one of
their favourites each year. “The South Tyneside International Magic Festival is
now one of the world’s most popular magic conventions and is a real favourite
among fans and professionals alike,” he said. “Magicbox has been involved with
the festival since the very beginning and we have enjoyed seeing it grow. It’s
now a big event on the magic calendar and the dealers' showcase is an important
aspect and something that everyone enjoys.” As well as Magicbox, several other
high profile magic vendors will be exhibiting at this year’s event. These are
set to include convention regular, Stockport-based
Magic World,
Merlins of Wakefield, Amethyst and Magic-2000 from Paris, plus some others
yet to be revealed. For info:
Click Here.
25.2.17
Matthew
Wright lectures at The British Magical Society, Birmingham, on Tuesday
February 28th (doors 7pm, start 7.30pm). Jay Adkins writes: We welcome return of
this performer, intriguing lecturer, puppeteer, comedian and magician. An
evening that will excite, entertain and add to your magical education. Winner of
The Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year competition in 2008 and host of
the Chamber of Secrets, Comedy Cabaret Show in Torremolinos. Tell your magic
friends, only £10! Why not become a member of The British Magical Society and
save each year on lecture entrance fees? Email
mail@andysmagic.co.uk for details.
British Magical Society, Selly Oak Ex Servicemen's' Club, 8 Selly Hill Road,
Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 7DL (Map).
www.britishmagicalsociety.co.uk.
25.2.17
Neville
King Lifetime Speciality Award presented to Fred Van Buren & Greta. Veteran
illusionists Fred Van Buren & Greta write: We would like to publicly say thank
you to Joan King, Arthur Casson and Blackpool Magic Club members for making us
so welcome and presenting the Neville King Lifetime Speciality Award to us at
their convention last weekend. It’s been a long time since we last attended the
Blackpool convention and nearly 60 years since we closed the convention show as
The Amazing Yoxanis with our Substitution Trunk Transposition, appearing again
years later as Van Buren & Greta, closing the show with our Vanishing Motorbike
& Rider surrounded... so it all brought back many happy memories for us.
Although we are now retired and the magic is presented by our son Andrew Van
Buren, this award truly means a lot to us and we are truly moved by this
fantastic gesture. Thank you all. Photo L to R: Ken Dodd, Greta and Fred Van
Buren.
25.2.17
David
Penn - appearing and lecturing at the Northern Magic Summit. Rob Temple
writes: Northern Magic Circle are proud to announce that David Penn will be
appearing and lecturing at the upcoming Northern Magic Summit (Friday 21st -
Sunday 23rd April, 2017). David is a seven times national award winning magician
and illusionist, with titles including 'Close Up Magician of the Year' for both
The Magic Circle and the British Ring of the International Brotherhood of
Magicians. His magic has been seen in six major TV series which include
’Britain’s Got Talent’ on ITV, ‘Freaky’ on Channel 4, ‘Astounding Celebrities’
on ITV and ‘The Sorcerer’s Apprentice’ for the BBC. David has entertained
celebrities and heads of state from around the world, including The Sultan of
Brunei and Her Majesty The Queen. David is recognised as an innovator and
creator of a number of effects that have been used by other well-known TV
magicians worldwide, including Dynamo; now he's going to share some of his best
secrets with you. To book for the Northern Magic Summit, see
www.northernmagicsummit.co.uk. If you have any questions, please e-mail:
bookings@northernmagicsummit.co.uk.
25.2.17
Matthew
Wright Bolton Magic Club lecture. Paul Goodman writes: Bolton Magic Club
Presents Matthew Wright. Following on from his success at the Blackpool
Magician’s Convention Matthew will be performing his latest award winning FISM
act. A full time working professional, Matthew brings all this experience
together in an action-packed lecture which includes every aspect of his
performances. The lecture will include many effects which feature directly in
Matthew's working repertoire with something for everyone of all skill levels.
This lecture is not to be missed. Visiting magicians from other societies are
most welcome. There will be an entrance fee of £10.00 for non-members. Doors
open at 8.30pm on Wednesday 1st March at Bolton Magic Club, The Doffcocker Inn,
780 Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 5QD (Map).
www.boltonmagicclub.uk.
25.2.17
John
Styles is once again presenting his magic and 'Chelsea Pensioner' acts in
traditional Music Hall shows around the country. Imminent venues include the
Royal Theatre, Northampton; New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich; The City Varieties,
Leeds and the Town Hall, Dudley (with Anita Harris).
www.johnstylesentertainer.co.uk.
25.2.17
Ken
Dyne
lectures at The North
Western Society of Magicians on Wednesday 1st March at The Lisdoonie Hotel in
Barrow-in-Furness LA14 5LF (Map). Doors 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start. Visitors welcome
for a small £5 fee.
www.barrowmagic.co.uk.
Adam Hudson,
Secretary.
25.2.17
Thanks
from Blackpool Magicians' Club. Alan Horne writes: Blackpool Magicians' Club
would like to thank members, performers, technicians and all who helped in any
way to make this year's convention a huge success and to the registrants for
their continued support. Plans for 2018 are already underway.
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
25.2.17
News
Deadline reminder. Please submit news by Thursday if possible - absolute
deadline 12 noon Friday, no exceptions. DT.
25.2.17
"Paul
McCartney eyeing up magical mystery tour as an illusionist"
Click Here •
"That’s magic! Top award for entertainer"
Click Here •
"Fund raising Runnymede Ball will help 12-year-old Rose's fight for
sight"
Click Here •
"Barcelona look to rediscover their magic touch as illusionist Dynamo
takes notes while the humbled Spanish giants train after PSG loss"
Click Here • "What Happened To Criss Angel – News & Updates"
Click Here •
"Shawnee man named ‘Magician of the Year’"
Click Here •
"Introducing Dominic James, Shoreditch’s New Street Magician"
Click Here • "How David Blaine regurgitated three live frogs"
Click Here •
"The cheapest and most expensive homes sold in Las Vegas in 2016"
Click Here • "Spectacular illusion show to debut in Bahrain"
Click Here • "What do you get when you cross illusionist David
Blaine and writer Paul Auster? Magic"
Click Here • "Magician cheats death and survives 25ft drop after
stunt goes wrong on roof at Blackpool Magic Convention"
Click Here • "Verwood magician is UK's top Family Entertainer of The
Year"
Click Here • "Britain’s Got Talent magician Richard Jones hasn’t
spent his £250k prize money"
Click Here • "Mind-blowing illusionists and magicians prepare to wow
Bromley audience"
Click Here •
"Wayne Hoffman: Mentalist and Illusionist Visits Pace University"
Click Here • Thanks as always for all your magic news, see you next
week, Duncan.
25.2.17