Number 238 - 15th January 2005
Close-up Magic Convention in Sussex
- Update. Paul Gordon and Mark
Worgan stage a new Close-up Convention on Saturday 14th May 2005:
Close-up Magic Convention in Sussex
www.cumcis.co.uk.
Artistes include Nick Einhorn (photo), Mark Mason, Mel Harvey, Mark
Shortland and Al Smith. Magic dealers: Alakazam, The Card Collection, Zane
Magic Shop, Magical Wonders, Martin Breese, Albion Magic, JB Magic and The
Merchant of Magic. The Magic Circle Youth Initiative are presenting
workshops for The Young Magicians Club (hosted by Mandy Davis) and there
will be adult workshops presented by Al Smith. The venue is Clair Hall, Perrymount Road,
Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Map)
- it is really geared up for conferences and includes easy access,
stylish rooms, catering, a licensed bar and free parking. It's only 2
minutes from the mainline railway station and just 45 minutes from London.
For more information visit the website:
www.cumcis.co.uk.
(Interested dealers should contact Paul Gordon on 01903 211785
cumcis@btinternet.com)
Book Now – only 200 places available (£25 per ticket). Admission to the
dealers shopping hall only is £10, available on the day, on the door. 15.1.05
Hollywood's
Magic Castle presents a special week of magic from members of The
Magic Circle in October 2005, to celebrate The Magic Circle's Centenary.
In the Close-up Gallery: Chris Pratt and Michael Vincent; The Parlor of
Prestidigitation: Tim Shoesmith and Mandy Muden; The Palace of Mystery:
Alan Shaxon, Wayne Dobson, Duncan Trillo and Terry Seabrooke; in the WC
Fields Bar: John Star; Lecturing on Sunday 23rd in the afternoon: The
Magic Circle's President Alan Shaxon, on 'The History of The Magic Circle'
and Robert Harbin. And guest host for the week: Billy McComb.
www.magiccastle.com. 15.1.05
Next
month sees the launch of a brand new DVD, produced by Russ Stevens's
production company RSVP, aimed at the close-up corporate magician, and those who
want to expand their share of that market. The disc features one
of the county's busiest magicians, with Russ behind the lens for a change.
All will be revealed in a few weeks - keep an eye on MagicWeek! Meanwhile Russ
has just returned from Copenhagen: "The crowd of
4,000 were in complete awe when Russ Stevens performed some amazing
illusions just before Bill Gates took to the stage for the opening keynote
presentation "The Magic of Software" at Microsoft's annual European
Technical IT Forum conference in Copenhagen. Russ's performance
made it a very special opening!" Peter de Zoete, Director of Events for
Microsoft Europe, Middle East & Africa. 15.1.05
The
Magic Cavern at Barons Court. Richard Leigh presents the new
Winter/Spring season featuring Trickery-UK, Magician Abid, Michael Jay,
The Capital Association of Magic (Gary Scott, Dominick Zwolinski and
Jonathan B), Dr Extispicy, Prof. Sam, Chris Nicholson, Richard Leigh &
Corinne, Fluke (photo) and Steven Dick. All online sales for The
Magic Cavern are now just £8.50, or call the 24 hour hotline on 08700 600 100.
Reservations from the Box Office on 020 8932 4747, or on the door (subject
to availability) £10, £9 concessions. The Magic Cavern, Barons Court
Theatre, 'The Curtains Up', 28A Comeragh Road, London W14 9AU. 2 minute
walk from either Barons Court or West Kensington Tube Stations. Enjoy a
meal or a drink before the show in 'The Curtains Up' pub (above the
theatre). Full details of the new season can be found at
www.falseimpressions.com. The Magic Cavern is now booking performers,
email
richard@falseimpressions.com for information. 15.1.05
Magicseen,
a new national magic magazine, is all set to launch at the Blackpool
Magicians Convention at the end of February. "Subscriptions are now
available either online or through the post," said editor Mark Leveridge,
"and magic fans who subscribe before March 5th will receive 7 issues for
the price of 6. Even though the first issue is not out for a few weeks
yet, there has been a tremendous amount of interest, especially from the
US." Anyone with news/press releases, tour dates, or any magic related
information is invited to contribute. Visit
www.magicseen.co.uk
for more information. 15.1.05
Tony
Griffith will be holding another of his very successful Creative Magic
Lecture/Teach-in days on Sunday 10th July (11am - 5pm) at his home in
Bristol. The cost is £40 (£30 if booked before 31st May) and that includes
morning coffee, buffet lunch and a light tea. The day is limited to 10
people, and always sells out. (See Reviews).
Tony Griffith, telephone 01275 837017, email
tony@tonygriffith.co.uk. 15.1.05
Miniature
Tennis Balls by Stephane Bourgoin. "These miniature tennis balls are
easily recognizable, and grab the attention of the audience. These little
props are a breeze to palm, and can be used for the three balls routine,
the cups & balls routine, or any routine using small balls." There is
something inherently appealing about these little balls! Available from
www.elmagicshop.com. 15.1.05
Tommy
Cooper DVDs... "The Missing Pieces" and "The Very Best of" are now
available from Amazon.co.uk
Click Here. 15.1.05
"Gail Porter and Chris Fleming
go on location in the
USA in search of the spirits of famous dead Americans."
Dead Famous - Houdini,
Tuesday, January 18th, on Living TV. See
TV Magic for details. 15.1.05
The
Order of the Magi are holding a second Giant Magic Auction on Tuesday
25th January at the Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Cheetham
Hill, Manchester. Directions on
www.orderofthemagi.co.uk. Viewing from 6.30pm, auction starts at
7.30pm. Further details and lot allocations from Entertainments Officer
Peter Moran 0161 798 8839. 15.1.05
The
Cardiff Magical Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a
banquet at the City Hall, Cardiff, on Sunday 2nd April. With cabaret and
magic from Ali Bongo, Alan Shaxon, Roger Baffico and Colin L Tilley.
Tickets are £32 and are available from Viv Davis 02920 792789 or Mr T
Ricks 02920 777321. 15.1.05
The
Cheetah's Handbook has just been launched by Jamie Badman as a limited
edition (150 copies) ebook featuring the work of Kostya Kimlat, Andi
Gladwin, Jamie Badman, Luke Dancy, Jack Parker, John Bodine, Colin Miller,
Tyler Wilson, Rob James and Liam Montier. For more information visit
www.underground-collective.com right now! 15.1.05
"Gregory
Wilson's Double Take puts the world's greatest double lifts at your
fingertips... even if you're all thumbs. This step-by-step instructional
DVD is packed with more than 90 minutes of dynamic material you can
perform anytime, anywhere, with any deck." Available from
www.magictricks.co.uk. 15.1.05
Roy
Critchley is organising a show in aid of the Tsunami disaster appeal
at The Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Lancashire WA10 1LQ (Map)
on Friday 11th February. Featuring magicians, illusionists, singers and
comedians plus a surprise performance by a TV soap celebrity. Tickets for
the show are £8.50 for adults (£6.50 concessions) and are available from
the box office at the Theatre Royal on 01744 756 000. For further
information email Roy:
steelemagicinc@aol.com. 15.1.05
Stanley Watson emails: "My wife and I recently enjoyed a marvellous holiday in Thailand being paid for by the government under The Heroes return scheme, because I served there as a magician in the RAF during the war. We went on the liner Superstar Virgo which had a resident magician on board whom we had the pleasure of meeting.. We then went to Fantasea venue in Phuket which had a 100 foot wide stage with a cast of 100 people and 16 elephants!! Included in the production was a floating and disappearing elephant! Fortunately we left three weeks before the tsunami struck but couldn't help wondering about all the lovely people we met and showed magic to." 15.1.05
Smoke and mirrors. "Throughout the world, whenever smoking bans are introduced, bar and restaurant owners are quick to complain about the harm done to their businesses. But in Italy, where a ban on smoking in public places came into effect on Monday, the traditional whingers have been joined by another group: magicians. Tony Binarelli, Italy's answer to Paul Daniels, has been calling for members of his profession to be exempted from the ban." To read the full story from Sophie Arie in The Guardian Click Here. 15.1.05
Revised
transmission date: The first in the new Sky 1 magic series, Undercover
Magic, goes out on Friday 28th January at 9pm - see
TV Magic • Paul
Zenon can be seen performing stand up on The World Stands Up at
11.45pm on Wednesday 19th January on Paramount 2 • Paul Gordon has just taken a
last minute booking for his new lecture/dealer dem at Ashford's Downtown
Magic Club on Monday. See
www.downtownmagicclub.co.uk for information • The Bristol Day of Magic
takes place on Sunday 8th May, details next month:
www.bristolmagic.co.uk • Congratulations to David Berglas on being
awarded a Masters Fellowship by The Academy of Magical Arts, the
presentation will take place later on this year • Magician pulls rabbit
out of danger,
Click Here • Bringing a little magic to Auburn,
Click Here • At Hevey's house, there's magic in the air,
Click Here • Tommy Cooper tops U.K. best comic list,
Click Here • Please note that the deadline for submitting news to
MagicWeek is 12 noon Friday, many thanks, see you next week, Duncan. 15.1.05