Number 138 - 15th February 2003
Kevin
James will present a brand new illusion at the
Blackpool
Magician's Club 51st Convention next weekend. This is the world's
largest magic convention attracting around 3,500 magicians and magic fans
from all around the world. This year there are a number of new
events being staged, together with world class lectures, close-up, and
stage magic. Dates: 21st, 22nd, 23rd February.
www.blackpoolmagic.com.
15.2.03
David Blaine's
best selling Mysterious Stranger is reviewed by Ian Carpenter this week,
"Mysterious Stranger's fabulous visual style bursts from the page, like
Houdini from a prison cell. Unusual and superbly reproduced photographs,
truly beautiful draughtsmanship and an abundance of elegant typographical
flourishes, lend to the whole an almost tangible richness."
Click Here.
15.2.03
Derren
Brown is Richard & Judy's special guest on Thursday 20th at 5pm on
Channel 4. The show goes out live - you'll see Derren at his very best.
The new six part series that was shown only on E4 is now set for
transmission on Channel 4, starting on Friday 28th. See TV Magic and What's On.
15.2.03
Paul
Daniels is running a special promotion for tickets for his Birmingham
Masterclass on Saturday 22nd March 2003. If you book online during
February, you can bring a friend along free... in other words "buy one get
one free!" The website has now been updated and includes useful details about
the event, as well as a downloadable video featuring Jeff McBride, Lance
Burton and Eugene Burger amongst others. The first Masterclass event in
Sydney, Australia was sold out, and it seems those that attended were
delighted to hear some of Paul's closely guarded secrets for the first
time. More details can be found at:
www.pdmasterclass.com.
15.2.03
Chris
North is featured in
Magic Profile for February. "When I was 17 years
old I worked as a photographer at Pontins and had the pleasure of meeting
and watching a magic and illusion act from Wales called Al & Dorothy
Roberts and I thought I would like to do that (not realising at the time
how long it would take to actually achieve anything!)
Click Here.
15.2.03
IBM
Ring 85, The Irish Ring, will stage their annual convention at
The Limerick Ryan Hotel, Limerick, Ireland, on Saturday 3rd, and Sunday
4th May. The Convention will be hosted by The Munster Society of
Magicians, and the HQ hotel offers special rates. Alex Elmsley will be
lecturing this year. For more information email Peter Levins
plevins@aol.com or visit the website
Click Here.
15.2.03
Trickshop.com
is currently offering Free Shipping on all orders (including international
Air Mail deliveries) received during February. As long as your order is
just $14.00 or more shipping is free! Discover what's made
Trickshop.com one
of the world's finest online magic shops
Click Here.
15.2.03
Mark
Mason of JB Magic has just returned from an 8 week US lecture tour -
their shop will be open over the Convention weekend from 10am to 5.30pm on
Friday, Saturday and Monday, and 10am to 3pm on the Sunday. The team will
be on hand to demonstrate from their range of over 1,600 items! Map:
Click Here.
15.2.03
Etienne
Pradier has just released his first volume of card tricks, French
Bred Winners, which features ten routines with something for everyone.
Although most require some sleight of hand there is nothing here that
would phase an intermediate card magician, and just for good measure there
are a number of effects requiring no skill at all. Tricks include 'Flash
Kings and Aces', 'Digit Date', 'Give me One More Chance', and 'Doing the
Business' (this is one of the routines that earned Etienne the title
Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year in 2000). The book consists
of 30 bound glossy pages. Guy Hollingworth writes in the forward "I have
no doubt that you will find many things of interest in Etienne's lecture
notes, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to find some people regularly
using some of his routines in their professional repertoire. Etienne always
impresses and entertains me, whenever I see him perform." Etienne's
close-up work is excellent, presented in a smooth, almost self effacing
way, that audiences always warm to. To order a copy send a cheque for £15
(plus p&p) made payable to "Etienne Pradier" to: 29 Church Street,
Wye, Nr Ashford, Kent TN25 5BN. Telephone: 01233 812810. Email:
pradier@etiennefrog.co.uk.
15.2.03
Craig
R Dickson, AIMC, Past National President of The Society of American
Magicians, will present a lecture entitled For the Entertainer at
The Magic Circle on Monday, February 17th at 7.30pm. The material for
Craig's lecture comes in part from workshops given by Craig at the
legendary FFFF Convention in the US. The Magic Circle lecture is
restricted to members only, but you'll also be able to see Craig both
lecturing and performing at this year's
Blackpool
Convention, 21st - 23rd February. You can see Craig's full 2003
schedule at
www.wizardcraft.com.
15.2.03
The
Magic Wand Shop are now advertising with MagicWeek - time to buy a
real magic wand... "The Magic Wand Shop have been providing the
wizarding and magical communities with fine hand-crafted magic wands since
1485. Their fine wooden wands are enchanted with feather of peacock or
feather of phoenix, and make the ideal travelling companion for any young
magician, witch or wizard embarking on a lifelong journey along the road
of magic. Each wand comes in its own silk lined presentation box, making
them wonderful Christmas or birthday gifts. The Magic Wand Shop also
supplies Fantasia-style wizards' hats, and T-shirts of a magical nature
for children."
www.themagicwandshop.co.uk.
15.2.03
Osmosis
by Alex Lourido is now available from
www.magictricks.co.uk "Make the
label on a beer bottle melt right through the glass! The performer
displays a full bottle of beer and explains that by manipulating two of
three characteristics that all bottles share, he can turn the bottle
inside out! With amazing force and speed, he slaps the bottle, and upon
turning it around, the bottle is indeed inside out. The labels, which have
been in plain view are now on the inside of the bottle! The performer pops
the top of the bottle and pours himself a drink. And yes, inside is
real
beer. The bottle is then handed out for inspection. There is nothing to
find!"
15.2.03
Jack
Delvin's show One Man's Magic is on again, this time at The Jermyn
Street Theatre, 16b Jermyn Street, London (nearest tube Piccadilly Circus)
on Sunday 30th March 2003. All seats are £10.00 Book on 020 7287 2875. The
Magic Circular wrote: "The show ranged from a very cheeky close-up routine
through a baffling and very funny mind reading section and a hilarious
escape to a big illusion finish that sent the audience home with aching
sides and warmth in their hearts."
15.2.03
Harry
Anderson reveals the tricks behind cons, swindles, and wagers that are
the mainstay of carnivals, casinos, racetracks, and con men in his 161
page book from last year, now available from Amazon.co.uk,
Click Here.
15.2.03
The
Magic Video Depot has just had a major overhaul. The site features
over 250 magic clips and a forum, and is run with real dedication by
Amadeus and Stephan, who are based in France.
www.magicvideodepot.com
15.2.03
Men
in Coats get up to all sorts of tricks every week on BBC 2's Live
Floor Show combining visual 'gags' with mime, movement and magic. See
TV Magic • Here's another in the series of articles on
"everything magic" from Kevin Gallagher:
Click Here • Christer Nilsson
emails from Sweden to say that he has all kinds of magic memorabilia for
collectors for sale including, photos, programmes, publicity and more.
Visit his
website or email
sv.magi-arkiv@telia.com for more information • That's it for this
week, see you in Blackpool! Duncan.
15.2.03