Number 405 - 29th March 2008

 

48th Bristol Day of Magic - Sunday May 4th. The Bristol Society’s 48th convention once again takes place at the excellent Winter Gardens and Playhouse Theatre complex in Weston Super Mare. The final touches have been made to the line-up on Sunday May 4th with John Lenahan now booked to compere the All Star International Gala show featuring Juliana Chen (photo), Stephen Bargatze, Brando and Silvana, Antje Pod and UK acts Paul Dabek and Mike O’Brien. Featured magicians this year are Stephen Bargatze from the USA and, in contrast, the unique card magic of Lennart Green from Sweden. Both will be giving lectures and presenting close-up sessions together with Mike O’Brien doubling in the close-up as well. Mindreader Marc Paul features in the popular mid-day ‘One Man show’ spot and a special ‘Meet and Greet the Star’ session for all young magicians presents an opportunity for youngsters to talk to the big names of the day. Mark Leveridge will be lecturing on 'how to improve those kid show profits' with the opening lecture in the morning. Meals and refreshments are available all day, and the sea is only yards away – especially if the tide is in! All this plus 25 magic dealers. A perfect bank holiday Sunday is in store – and no work the next day! Registration forms can be downloaded from www.bristolmagic.co.uk or call Andy Mac 0117 9422449 for a form. 29.3.08

 

British Ring Convention, Eastbourne, September 2008. Jeff Hobson, Claudis Specht, Nick Lewin, Guy Hollingworth, Tony Chapek, Raymond Crowe, Kalin & Jinger, Gene Anderson, Bill Herz, Michael Finney, Oscar Munoz, Geoffrey Durham, Nicholas Einhorn, Richard McDougall, Jim Steinmeyer, Levent, Michael Close, Juan Tamariz and Mike Bent are just some of the star names announced for the 72nd Annual Convention of The International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring No. 25 which will be held in Eastbourne from 24th-28th September 2008. And already over 300 magicians have registered - a new record for advance registrations. This really is an amazing line-up - for more details and to book visit www.britishring.org.uk. 29.3.08

 

Associated Wizards of the South Magic Convention - Sunday April 6th. David Forest and Liam Montier, two of the magic men from the Big Blind Media stable, have just confirmed that they will be giving lectures in the afternoon. There will also be a Balloon workshop from Playtime Balloons (AWS members wish Mike Stokes a speedy recovery). Other highlights include lectures from Mark Worgan and Paul Gordon, an excellent selection of dealers including Alakazam, Big Blind Media, The Card Collection, Magic Books by Post, Mark Worgan, Merchant of Magic, Paul Gordon, Playtime Balloons, Ron Gilbert, Wayne Dobson, and Zane's Magic Shop, and an evening show starring Romany, Mark Worgan, Zane and current Young Magician of the Year winner Ben Hart. For full details visit: www.awsmagic.co.uk. For tickets and more information contact Geoff Gould on 02380 844677 or 07773 991353. Anyone joining the Big Blind Media mail list on their stand, and saying the magic words "Cor blimey - I love MagicWeek" (BBM's choice of words - not mine!) can collect a special free DVD! 29.3.08

 

'Save our Shows in Covent Garden' - online petition..."Juggling with the future. The new owners of Covent Garden Market want to reduce the number of buskers and street performers. But performers have started a campaign to reverse these plans." Writes Nick Tarry for BBC News Click Here. "Buskers challenge Covent Garden over imperfect pitch" Click Here. "Buskers fear 'thin end of wedge'" Click Here. "Soprano's protest song for buskers in Covent Garden" Click Here. To show your support for the street performers in Covent Garden please spare a minute to sign their online petition at www.petitiononline.com/soscovnt/petition.html. 29.3.08

 

TrickDownload.com are now advertising on MagicWeek. The company offer instant magic downloads in the following categories: Card Tricks, Levitations, Mental Magic and Stage Tricks. Visit www.trickdownload.com today! 29.3.08

 

David Berglas Award to Terry Herbert. At the recent Annual Dinner of The British Magical Society The David Berglas Award was presented to Terry Herbert "For Services to Magic and Performing Ability" by their President John Price. 29.3.08

 

Bloomsbury Auctions London - Bibliophile Sale including Conjuring and Magic. "Bloomsbury’s Bibliophile sale (3rd April), is particularly noteworthy for its strong Conjuring section. Last year Bloomsbury had a whole sale dedicated to Magic books which attracted magicians from all over the country; the wires were humming with bids from the United States and Europe... It is the Conjuring Books, Periodicals, Catalogues, Memorabilia, Posters and Apparatus from the world of Magic which will set pulses racing amongst the aficionados. Many are from the collection of the late John Salisse CBE" Thursday 3rd April at Bloomsbury Auctions, 24 Maddox Street, London W1S 1PP. Telephone 020 7495 9494 or contact www.bloomsburyauctions.com for a catalogue which costs £7. The catalogue can also be viewed online. 29.3.08

 

Chris Hare lecture. Chris Hare is presenting his Harebrain Mentalism Lecture on Thursday April 10th, for The Sussex Magic Circle, Southover Grange, Southover Road, Lewes BN7 1TP (Map). Contact gordonburtenshaw@btconnect.com for details. No doubt the lecture will include hints and tips for his recently released Birthday Detector routine. Ideal for professional who thrives under difficult close-quarter conditions, and enjoys hearing those magic words "no way!" To book Chris Hare's lecture for your club contact Chris directly: 01784 453192. 29.3.08

 

Cardiff Magical Society Annual Dinner 2008. "Following on from the great success of our 2007 dinner, we are proud to present another amazing event this year on 19th April 2008 at the Novotel, Cardiff. We have arranged a Welsh themed menu to suit everyone, and some fantastic entertainment for you. None other than the internationally acclaimed Michael Vincent will provide close-up magic during the meal, with the after dinner cabaret featuring master manipulator Jonathan Shotton and top illusion act Martyn James & Co. Our compere for the show will be top Welsh comedian and past CMS member Rod Woodward. Numbers are limited so please secure your tickets as soon as possible. At just £32.50 each this is a really good deal. Special rates have been negotiated with the hotel (and there is an Etap just over the road) for those wishing to make a weekend of it. Especially as the following day sees Michael Vincent present his lecture (£10 for non CMS members). 7pm for 7.30pm on Saturday 19th April at the Novotel, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4RT. Dress code: Formal (Dinner/Lounge suit for the gentlemen). See our website www.cardiffmagic.org.uk for menu details. To book please contact Viv Davies on 02920 792789." 29.3.08

 

MagiciansBookshelf.com have three new books on offer and are launching a new downloadable brochure service for magicians too. Visit the website for details of their special offers and the new service: www.magiciansbookshelf.com. 29.3.08

 

Children's entertainer Poz will be lecturing at the AWS in Southampton on Tuesday April 1st. As always all magicians are welcome and non members are only charged £5 on the door. Contact Phil on 07739 407147. 29.3.08

 

Magician and Illusionist Scott Pepper has just returned from a two-week cruise on board the P&O Artemis, performing his stage show for the passengers. The trip got off to a rocky start due to the bad weather at the beginning of March, and after just 24 hours at sea the ship had to dock in Cornwall for storm damage repairs... but the Artemis made it across the Atlantic to the beautiful islands of the Caribbean. Also onboard magician and illusion act Van Buren and Comedy. 29.3.08

 

Johnny Fantastica, President of Society of World Deaf Magicians will be attending their 12th Bi-Annual World Deaf Magic Conference in Los Angeles on 4th April to 13th April. 90 deaf magicians representing 20 Countries will take part in the World Deaf Magic Championships, comprising: Stage, Illusions, Comedy, Close-up, Ladies and Children. Johnny was Champion in 1998 in the Illusions and Stage sections. The finalists will perform in front of 3,000 spectators. After the week long conference, Johnny and some officials from the society will travel to Las Vegas to meet David Copperfield and Lance Burton. mail@fantastica.freeserve.co.uk. 29.3.08

 

Big Blind Media present The Wicked World of Liam Montier Volume 1 & 2. "Enter the twisted yet brilliant mind of Liam Montier. Famed for his inventive and ingenious solutions to every magical plot he tackles, this respected practitioner has a magical effect for every situation! Like some crackpot inventor, Liam is renowned for his ability to take any object at hand and construct a fantastic routine around it. Across the two volumes of ‘The Wicked World’, you’ll find material using everything from cards, coins, bubblewrap, bank statements and lollipops to corks, business cards, socks and string – you name it, Liam will use it!" To watch the trailer Click Here. To order visit www.bigblindmedia.com. 29.3.08

 

North West Magic Mart. The Order of the Magi (Manchester) are holding their second North West Magic Mart on Saturday 19th April at The Irish World Heritage Centre, Queens Road, Manchester from 10am to 3pm. There are just a few stalls left at £10 each. They must be booked in advance using the form on: www.orderofthemagi.org.uk, or by telephoning Secretary Mike Sharples 0161 287 7865 or President Geoffrey Newton 0161 969 8222 (Strictly no stalls issued on the day). There is plenty of parking, a licensed bar, snacks and a large new shopping centre next door. Buyers admission only £2.00, and there's a grand raffle for a ‘Magic’ Hamper as well! 29.3.08

 

Hull Magicians' Circle Arthur Setterington Junior Close-up Competition 2008. Richard Morrell and Jon Marshall report: Young Jack Gleadow added to his already impressive list of achievements by winning the Arthur Setterington Junior Close-up Competition 2008 at Hull Magicians’ Circle last week. And not an elastic band in sight! Arthur was a close-up magic devotee and enjoyed working with young magicians. Joe Harper was an excellent compere. Competitors were Sam Tasker with his novel routine – A Silent “P” – you have to see it! David Hoyes’ produced washers and transferred their holes. Alex Pawinski had an unusual routine with a paper doll and card box with Sawing in Halves theme. Winner, Jack Gleadow has great audience appeal. After a Jay Ose Lie Detector routine he vanished a borrowed finger ring. If you are selecting material, good advice is always to use the best and Jack combined published ideas from John Archer, Andy Nyman and Angelo Carbone in a comedy mental routine that culminated in the return of the ring. Judges were all the members of Hull Magicians’ Circle, and the presentation was made by HMC President, Eddie Dawes and Elsie Setterington. www.magician.org.uk/hmc. 29.3.08

 

Quentin Reynolds lectures at the Bolton Magicians Club at 8.30pm on Wednesday 2nd April at the Doffcocker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton. "How to double the reaction to the show you already do without having to add any extra tricks. Using examples from his own shows, Quentin Reynolds will show you how to take the tricks you currently perform and dramatically increase your audience response. Quentin has lectured at FISM, the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas as well as at dozens of clubs and conventions throughout the UK and Ireland." Visitors welcome. For further details visit www.bolton-magic.co.uk. 29.3.08

 

Wolverhampton Close-up Winner. The Close-up Competition held by Wolverhampton Circle of Magicians at their new Headquarters, Wolverhampton West End Working Men's Club on Merridale Street West, on Wednesday, 19th March, was won by John Anthony. He was presented with the Tom Laws Plate by President, David Oakley before a large number of members and friends. 29.3.08

 

Dates for Steve Beam's lecture tour of the UK in May 2009 are rapidly disappearing! Magic Clubs interested in taking Steve's lecture are advised to contact Tony Griffith as soon as possible to avoid disappointment: 01275 835463 tony@tonygriffith.co.uk. 29.3.08

 

New magic club opens in Crawley, Sussex. The Crawley Magicians Club had its first meeting last week at the Broadfield Community Centre, Broadfield, Crawley. The club plans to charge £5.00 per meeting, plus an annual membership fee of £10.00 for those wishing to join to help fund a lending library, lecturer fees, and to cover the cost of venue hire. Visit their website for information: www.thecrawleymagiciansclub.co.uk. 29.3.08

 

The Scottish Super Magic Auction takes place tomorrow, Sunday 30th March in the Perth Ex-Servicemen's Club starting at 1pm. There is already a large selection of magic entered for sale but items will be accepted up to the start of the sale. Auctioneers, Jim Craig and Alaister Cowe are going to have their work cut out, but it will be good fun watching them trying to keep up to schedule! For those who buy too much, they can take comfort from the all day bar which is the cheapest in Perth! Admission is £3 on the door plus 10% commission on all sales. For more information contact Club Secretary, Adrian Harris adrian.harris@blueyonder.co.uk or telephone 01738 628985. 29.3.08

 

"Death Defying Acts" Click Here • "The glad scientist" Click Here • "Magicians aid Cooper theatre bid" Click Here • "Comic remembered fondly by city man" Click HereTim Sutton reviews Michael Vincent's latest DVD this week Click Here, and Jayne reviews Christopher Congreave's recent Magic Circle lecture, Click Here • "Chris conjures up a new life" Click Here • "Derren Brown’s right kind of magic" Click Here • Please note: News submissions for next week, Saturday 5th April, need to be in by no later than 12 noon Wednesday 2nd April. Many thanks! See you next week, Duncan. 29.3.08

 

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