Number
1053 - 29th August 2020
The
52nd Annual Academy of Magical Arts Awards Ceremony was staged as an
online only event last week, and very entertaining it was too. The
British did rather well this year with Derren Brown being awarded
Magician of the Year and Angelo Carbone Creative Fellowship.
Congratulations to them both, and to all nominees and recipients.
The whole event is well worth watching and can be seen here:
Vimeo. DT.
Magician of the Year: Derren Brown
Lecturer of the Year: Dani DaOrtiz
Parlor Magician of the Year: Chris Capehart
Close-Up Magician of the Year: Asi Wind
Stage Magician of the Year: Lucy Darling
Performing Fellowship: Raymond Crowe
Special Fellowship: Lisa Menna
Special Fellowship: Alan Zagorsky
Creative Fellowship: Angelo Carbone
Literary/Media Fellowship: Laura Avilés Ruda
Junior Achievement Award: Austin Janek.
29.8.20
A
Special Magic Circle Awards Ceremony on TMC TV. The Magic Circle
Awards 2020 will be streamed to all members worldwide this Tuesday in a
special edition of TMC TV - the society's weekly show hosted on its
Facebook page. The winners could not come to The Magic Circle's London
headquarters, because of restrictions on gatherings, so The Magic Circle
has linked up with them to let them know the good news. Noel Britten,
The Magic Circle's president, said: "It has been a difficult task to
organise the ceremony this year because we can’t all be together as
usual, but our production team at TMC TV have done a terrific job in
pulling the strands together. And there will be a few surprises for all
to see." Noel will present what are regarded as some of the most
prestigious annual awards in magic: The David Devant Award for services
to International Magic, The Maskelyne Award for services to British
Magic, the John Nevil Maskelyne Award for Noteworthy Literature, The
Carlton Award for Comedy, the Cecil Lyle Award for Best Trick published
in The Magic Circular, and specially produced Silver Wands for Service
to The Magic Circle.
www.themagiccircle.co.uk.
29.8.20
Britain's
Got Talent - The Finalists Revealed. Back in April Ant and Dec
presented this year's Britain's Got Talent auditions, knowing that the
finals would have to be postponed until later in the year. Now the
series finally returns, and the judges decide which acts will make it
through to the semi-finals. Sunday 30th August on ITV. See
TV Magic for details.
29.8.20
Smoke
& Mirrors Comedy & Magic Bar is back! Smoke & Mirrors write: After
167 days of no shows, well a few Zooms (that was weird) we are proud to
announce the UK's 1st Magic Theatre is back! 3rd September 2020 - we
have made sure our bar and theatre is Covid-19 safe and our magicians
are ready. A few things have changed due to government guidelines; our
shows are shorter so no intervals, but we will be giving you a 5 Star
Show! We cannot wait to see our customers again. Our Comedy & Magic
shows are now Thursday, Friday & Saturday and our New Material Night
Stand Up Comedy is also back on Monday 7th September. Our opening
Weekend has sold out which is fantastic news. Come and support live
magic asap:
www.smokeandmirrorsbar.com/tickets.
29.8.20
Paul Zenon - up to his old tricks, and new tricks, on Countdown! Paul will appear alongside Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner starting on Thursday, 3rd September, on Channel 4. See TV Magic for details. 29.8.20
David
Blaine Ascension. Live. Monday 31st August, here:
YouTube. "I failed my balloon test, but never gave up"
YouTube. "How David Blaine plans to float up to 25,000 feet using
just helium balloons"
Click Here.
29.8.20
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week
some interactive jukebox magic with Max Maven on John Fisher's 'The Best of
Magic' from 20th September 1989. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To see the full MagicWeek Video
Archive to date
Click Here. 29.8.20
Simon
Lovell Live Video Session. Lee Hathaway writes: The author of over
27 books and star of White Collar, fans of Simon Lovell will be
delighted to hear he’ll be taking part in a one-off live video broadcast
featuring lecture material, betchas, Q&A and interview. Hosted by Lee
Hathaway and Matthew Le Mottee this is a rare opportunity to take part
in what is guaranteed to be a really special and insightful occasion.
Sunday 6th September (Simon’s birthday) at 2.30pm GMT. For more
information visit
www.givingmagic.co.uk.
29.8.20
How
to Fake a War, directed by Rudolph Herzog. When an unexpected
outbreak of peace leads to a ceasefire between Russian forces and
Georgian rebels, arrogant rock star Harry Hope (Jay Pharaoh) fears for
the success of his global charity concert. He dispatches his PR
consultant (Katherine Parkinson, The IT Crowd) to create a fake war
story. Things go hilariously pear-shaped when rivals take up arms for
real! With magician and actor Ali Cook as Simon. Trailer:
YouTube. See
www.sky.com.
29.8.20
Here's
close-up master Juan Tamariz in great form 30 years ago on John
Fisher's 'The Best of Magic' from 12th September 1990:
YouTube. To see the full MagicWeek Video
Archive to date
Click Here. 29.8.20
John
'Sly' Smith - 70 years continuous membership of The Order of The Magi.
Mike Sharples writes: John 'Sly' Smith has become the second member of a
very exclusive club. Sly has recently completed 70 years continuous
membership of The Order of The Magi (Manchester’s Magicians’ Society).
John has held the title President of the Magi on three separate
occasions, he has also been the President of The British Ring of the
IBM. Over the years John has worked tirelessly within the society and it
is a pleasure to know him, not as long as some of our members of course!
The changes that John must have seen in the magical world over the years
must be amazing and the names that he has associated with, are too many
to mention. Congratulations John from everyone at The Magi and I'm sure
that a lot of your magical associates will want to wish you the very
best as well. John is pictured here with his certificate for 70 years
membership. Thanks to John’s wife June for the picture. Mike Sharples,
Secretary/Treasurer and Life Member Order of The Magi.
29.8.20
Merlins
of Wakefield – Free Trick Offer! We are closed this Bank Holiday
Monday, but you can still order online. We are also open today from 10am
to 4pm. This is the first Saturday that we have opened since lockdown
and it's for this Saturday only. Normal hours at the moment are Monday,
Wednesday, Friday 10am to 4pm. Make a purchase for a free trick!
Purchases can be in store, by phone or online, but must be made between
10am and 4pm on Saturday 29th August to qualify for a free trick. (Free
Tricks are sent at random and will be worth at least 20% of the order
value). We are also on the lookout for any used magic items, including
books and collectables. Contact us if you have something to sell. Here
are a few of the quality used items we have for sale at the moment:
Head Zopper Illusion,
Whispering Buddha,
Total Premonition Trick and
Dagger Head Chest.
www.merlinswakefield.com. Tel 01924 339933. Email
merlins@btconnect.com.
29.8.20
Magicseen
Issue 94 September 2020. From the publishers: Nathan Kranzo features
heavily in the latest edition of the UK's only independent magic
magazine. Firstly, he's our cover star, and the big feature inside gives
you all you need to know about the man. Then secondly, in an article all
about the rise of Zoom magic lectures, he provides some insightful
comments and advice on the subject. Finally thirdly, in the Masterclass
he provides instruction for a great coin routine! But issue 94 is not
just about the Kranzillo, we also introduce you to two other notable
performers, Steve Spade from Ireland and Sebastian Midtvaage from the
US, both of whom are setting the world on fire (literally, in the case
of Mr. Spade!). Ian Brennan brings his mini series to a close with an
article on how to get the most out of social media, we take a look at
professional ways to finish a close up set at tables, and we also offer
you 20 pertinent quotes taken from Morgan and West's great book Parlour
Tricks - read and learn from two masters. As usual we have a wide range
of products analysed by our experts in the review section, plus news and
letters too. Issue 94 is only available as a download (we return to
printed copies in November), and you can get your copy now from
www.magicseen.com.
Or, take out a download subscription, and you can request two free back
issues every time a new edition is released. Subscriptions can be found
at
www.magicseen.com.
29.8.20
End
of Summer Flash Sale. If you are into card magic, then you may want
to take advantage of Mark Leveridge's flash sale on his set of four
'Collected Card Magic of Mark Leveridge's e-books. Across the series you
are treated to a total of 47 practical, workable card effects. Some of
Mark's best known routines are here, including Brainstormer, 1-2-3 Jumbo
Cards Across, Co-inci-mental and many more. Each item is a complete
effect - there are no minor handling finesses included as padding - and
the magic covers close up, strolling, stand up, mentalism and children's
work. Buy any two of the volumes from the series at the regular full
price, and you will be sent links to download the other two e-books
completely free. To receive the extra free volumes you need to place
your order no later than midnight on Wednesday 2nd September 2020. Full
details of each of the books can be found at
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
29.8.20
Introducing Tracy TrickStar. Direct from the highly successful
comedy act 'TrickStars' comes Tracy TrickStar. The character was so
loved by audiences that she decided to expand and develop her own style
of comedy, magic and illusion. Tracy is colourful, hilarious and pretty
darn clever too! This larger than life character delivers a visual feast
of magic and comedy entertainment that appeals to audiences of all ages.
www.entertainmentlive.co.uk.
29.8.20
Salvage Hunters: The Restorers. Drew Pritchard challenges two automaton experts to bring a 130-year-old magician back to life. Plus, metal worker Ted works on a pair of West End theatre lights. Wednesday 2nd September on Quest. See TV Magic for details. 29.8.20
The
Gathering, Great Yarmouth. Stephen Bolam and Kyle Sarocen write: Our
meetings will recommence on Monday 7th of September at 7.30pm with a 'Show &
Tell' evening. Please note social distancing will be in operation. As you enter
the Grosvenor Casino follow the floor markings at all times. This Gathering will
be held in the Bar and Restaurant area, which we have completely to ourselves
and drinks will be served at the tables. Please note face masks or face shields
must be worn except when you are drinking of course. Look forward to seeing you
there. The Grosvenor Casino,
Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth NR30 3JG (Map).
29.8.20
Sunday Night at the London Palladium reminder, Sunday 30th August at 9pm - straight after BGT. Jimmy Tarbuck hosts the first colour edition of the show, from 1966, featuring Roy Orbison, Judith Durham, the Seekers, Julie Rogers, The Biasinis, Silvan and Ray Fell. See TV Magic for details. 29.8.20
The Amazing Johnathan Documentary, Sunday 6th September on Sky Documentaries: "Benjamin Berman finds the line between truth and illusion start to blur as he documents the final tour of a dying magician." See TV Magic for details. 29.8.20
"Magician
casts a love spell over David Frost's son"
Click Here • "Houdini's Magic to fetch $18.6M as part of major
museum acquisition"
Click Here • "Controlling Her Choices By Magic?!"
YouTube • "Las Vegas Magician Gets Permission to Perform with Live
Tigers"
Click Here • "‘America’s Got Talent’ magician Leon Etienne doing
socially distant shows in Upstate NY"
Click Here • "Did Max Major’s Act Prove Magicians On ‘America’s Got
Talent’ Are Fake?"
Click Here • "More details released about Nottingham bar that aims
to attract the best magicians in the country"
Click Here • "Ringo the Argentinian magician rides out COVID-19
pandemic in Central Queensland"
Click Here • "Magicians perform during Lisbon Street Magic World
Festival in Portugal"
Click Here • "AGT Results Fifth Judge: Magician John Dorenbos
Inspires, Ed O'Neill Harasses Sofia Vergara"
Click Here • "Pure magic: 12-year-old Fremont magician wins major
competition"
Click Here • "The Prestige: Inside Christopher Nolan’s Movie Magic
Trick"
Click Here • "The Internet’s illusionist, Zach King, on popcorn
Vines and re-engineering illusions"
Click Here • Thanks as always to everyone who submitted news this
week - it's always welcomed. See you next week, Duncan.
29.8.20