Number 417 - 21st June 2008

 

Dynamo stars in the new Adidas campaign... "For summer 2008, Adidas Originals introduces the Superstar Magic web film, starring Dynamo. The film follows Dynamo and his Superstars as he takes to the streets of Miami dazzling locals with his unique brand of magic. Directed by Rob Bruce (The Hills, Laguna Beech) and featuring a soundtrack by OM Records, the film launched in the US as part of the 'Celebrate Originality' campaign and will be the largest 'Adidas Originals' campaign to date." Watch the video online: www.adidas.com/superstar. "Dynamo the (Adidas) superstar" Click Here. 21.6.08

 

Keith Barry - Hypnomagician, Bloomsbury Theatre London, 10th July at 7pm "Keith started performing magic at the age of fourteen after purchasing a book entitled 'Magic for the complete Klutz' while on a school tour to Edinburgh. The first effect he learned from the book was the vanishing handkerchief and from that point onwards Keith knew what his destiny would be. 2008 is looking like Keith's most exciting year to date. In the UK, his highly successful 'Keith Barry - The Escape LIVE' went out on ITV 1 at the start of the year and will be followed up with a new special later this year." Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH (Map) Tickets £20 via www.livenation.co.uk. "Hypnomagic man" Click Here. 21.6.08

 

Second Auction of Jay Marshall Collection - July 27th 2008. Jay Marshall's legendary collection of Magicana is still trying to find a new home. In May, 2007, a small portion of Marshall’s horde was auctioned off at the annual Magic Collectors’ Weekend in suburban Chicago. The sale grossed nearly $300,000. For those that missed an opportunity to bid last year, another opportunity is on the horizon. A second public auction of ephemera, apparatus and memorabilia from Marshall’s collection will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sunday, July 27th at 9am – the morning following the conclusion of the Combined IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention. The auction will be held at the Galt House Hotel, in Louisville. The auction will contain rare Houdiniana, including autographs, books and photographs related to the great escape artist; lithographs and broadsides advertising famous magicians of yesteryear including Thurston, Dante and Professor Anderson; choice apparatus; unique and extensive collections of ephemera relating to many famous 20th century magicians; as well as hundreds of antiquarian and collectible books, many of them signed and inscribed to Jay Marshall. The sale will be conducted by Potter & Potter Auctions, Inc. and previews will be held throughout the SAM/IBM Convention. Further information, registration forms, and a complete catalogue (for preview as a free download, or for purchase) are available at www.potterauctions.com. 21.6.08

 

RSVPMagic.com serve up something special... Menu of Miracles volumes 1 and 2, a brand new DVD set aimed at the close-up restaurant market, is about to be released by www.rsvpmagic.com starring James Prince. “Few people know just how successful he’s become in this lucrative market. For the first time we’ve convinced him to spill the beans (pun intended) and release his favourite routines on this two DVD set. Featured: His brilliant 'Signed Card Thru Window' which uses no confederates and is a complete one-man operation, 'Shoot the Kiwi' his easy-to-do version of 'Signed Bill in Kiwi' where the spectator can open the Kiwi themselves, remove the banknote and find no holes or set-ups... and finally his superb 'Ring in Pepper-Pot' where a borrowed finger ring vanishes and appears inside (and on the stem of) a clear plastic Pepper-Pot, sitting on the table! As well as this James tips some of the real secrets to performing in restaurants, from approaching a restaurant in the first place, to approaching the tables once you've secured the booking! We think this DVD set is destined to do for the restaurant magician what 'Corporate Close-Up' did for the corporate worker”, says Russ Stevens. For a very limited time, rsvpmagic.com are offering these discs at a special pre-order price. Visit www.rsvpmagic.com for trailers, more information, and to pre-order. 21.6.08

 

Pickpockets! Beware! Watch your wallets! - Lee Thompson won't be needing to watch his wallet after landing a two-year lead role in Cirque Du Soleil's Kooza production in Canada. The show features a pickpocket as a main character. Cirque headhunted Lee as he has the necessary circus skills and pickpocketing mastery required for the role. www.cirquedusoleil.com www.pickingpockets.com. 21.6.08

 

Radio Magic. Scotland's Gary James recently appeared on Talk Radio 107's 'Weekend Brunch' with Bill Young. Gary performed some of his magic on the show. This was so popular with listeners that he has been invited back to appear on another programme. Gary will be a guest on 'AM 2 PM' with Ian Gilmore and Lynne McCrossan on Tuesday 24th June. The show starts at 10am and Gary is due to appear at around 11am. Local listeners can catch the show on 107 FM, or you can hear it via their website www.talk107.co.uk. 21.6.08

 

Razamatazz Magic is a new magic company specialising in magic for children's entertainers. They've just released their first children's trick called Rabbit Rampage, a 'Who's Who' style trick with excellent graphics printed on giant A4 sized cards, so that they can be seen by both small and large audiences. For more information visit www.razamatazzmagic.com. 21.6.08

 

All in All it's Just Another Trick in the Wall. Richard T Smith, world record holding magician, presents his 'All in All it's Just Another Trick in the Wall' show on Friday 26th September 2008 at 7.30pm at The Rose Theatre, St Helens Road, Ormskirk L39 4QP (Edge Hill College). Tickets are £10.00, call: 07979 804823 (Richard T Smith is the Guinness World Record holder for the longest magic show). 21.6.08

 

Richard Young sells his soul to the devil! Richard emails: "I had quite a special thing happen to me over the weekend, that I thought your readers may find interesting. I allowed my magical services to be auctioned off for charity at the Lido Swimming pool in Chipping Norton Oxfordshire, along with all manner of other things including balloon rides and holidays. The auction was hosted by Jeremy Clarkson (of Top Gear fame) and I was asked to present an effect on stage in front of the audience of 200 in attendance just before he auctioned my lot. I was obviously a little nervous as I was unsure as to how Mr Clarkson felt about magicians. I was lucky enough to bump into him before the auction began and did a couple of tricks for him, this was when he informed me that he loves close-up magic. He seemed impressed by the few tricks I did and said he was really looking forward to the trick on stage. The trick I came up with for the stage segment was a book test, using Jeremy's own books that he has had published. He really sold the trick for me, and was convinced there was no way I could know which word he had picked. Well the trick worked beautifully and Jeremy was so impressed he decided to bid on my lot himself. Jeremy won my lot and bided £400 to have me entertain at his house at some point over the next few months. I was flabbergasted!" www.chippylido-auction.co.uk www.richardyoungmagic.com. 21.6.08

 

Tim Shoesmith lectures at the Bolton Magicians Club on Wednesday 25th June at 8.30pm. The venue is the Doffcoker Inn, Chorley Old Road, Bolton BL1 5QE (Map) Visit Tim's website www.timshoesmith.com for further information. Visiting magicians welcome. 21.6.08

 

Thom Peterson is presenting his lecture for International Magic in London on Tuesday 24th June at their usual venue of Casa Italiana, 136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL (Map). Contact Martin 020 7405 7324. Those interested should email or phone Martin MacMillan martin@internationalmagic.com or 020 7405 7324. Arrive at 7.15pm, lecture starts at 7.30pm, finishes approx. 9.30pm.and cost £10 per person. www.internationalmagic.com. 21.6.08

 

Magic to Cry For... Piff the Magic Dragon is seen here on stage at a benefit gig for the NCH featuring Jessica Hynes (Spaced), Stephen Merchant (The Office), Simon Amstell (Never Mind the Buzzcocks) last week. Chortle.co.uk said Piff was "Inspired! Gloriously Grumpy!' Romany the Diva of Magic will be headlining the next show on June 26th. Visit www.standnotamazed.com/magictocryfor for details. 21.6.08

 

Lee Hathaway won the London Society of Magicians annual Card Magic competition recently, for a second year running. The standard was particularly high but Lee just pipped it to the post with his version of Guy Hollingworth's re-set routine – involving a centre deal from four different parts of the deck! Lee's company, Magic Cave have a brand new product 'Crystal Method' launching next week, More info in MagicWeek next week. 21.6.08

 

The Watford Association of Magicians Jubilee Trophy for Close up Magic was awarded to Dave Allen on Tuesday the 17th June. His close-up act involved a fast paced routine featuring 'Anniversary Waltz', a Torn and Restored card routine and 'Borrowed ring to shoelace'. Dave won over the packed clubroom with his high energy, receiving a standing ovation at every table that he performed to! Dave has now won all three competitions at the club, Stage, Children's and Close-up. In now the close Up. Darren James was placed 2nd, and 3rd place, together with the Technical Award, went to Carl Charlsworth. www.daveallenmagic.com. 21.6.08

 

Travis Perkins Assembly - Ferrybridge Day of Magic, Sunday 6th July 2008. Travis Perkins and Esme (still touring the café bars of Sorrento and Capri along with Epsie Havercott) have sent in the complete lineup for the 16th Ferrybridge Day of Magic: "Morning Lecturette will be Grand Masters of Illusion – a new presentation by Danny Hunt and Annette Claire. Morning 28 minute Workette – SOS Session with Al Smith. Afternoon Lecturette – Peter Roberts – With Tricks You Can Do! Afternoon 28 minute Workette - Danny’s Diabolical Dice Stacking (Danny Hunt). Lecturettes will be in the Epsie Havercott Hall and Workettes in the Travis and Esme Perkins Private Suite." Venue – The Community Centre, The Square, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire WF11 8PQ (Map). Doors open at 10am. Further details from Michael Shepherd 01904 709500 or email michaelshepherd@castlemagicalservices.co.uk. 21.6.08

 

Presto. Disney/Pixar's upcoming animated short Presto will be showing before this Summer's Sci-Fi animated blockbuster-to-be Wall-E, which is released nationwide on July 18th Click Here. "The film is described as featuring a turn-of-the-century magician named Presto DiGiotagione, who's become famous for an astounding hat trick. His rabbit Alec is dissatisfied as he shares none of Presto's wild success. While Presto is out eating a lavish dinner, Alec is left behind, locked in a birdcage with a carrot tortuously out of reach." From the Pixar BlogSpot: Click Here. 21.6.08

 

Magicians Wanted! Clare Cooper emails: "We are looking for magicians, jugglers, balloon artistes, street performers or any kind of magic based talents to be a part of summer workshops in Eastbourne. The event is being run by charity Autumnal Winds of Change, a small charity who concentrate on children being able to learn new skills in the performance industry. The event is being run from Monday the 25th of August till Saturday the 30th of August. At the end of the week, the children get to perform their new found talents in a theatre show. We are looking for enthusiastic performers who can run workshops based on their specialised talent. If you would like to get involved, please contact Clare Cooper at reactisback@yahoo.co.uk" 21.6.08

 

The Skipton Factor 2008. Tickets are now available for popular Variety Show, The Skipton Factor. "Magician Mark Waddington welcomes a professional cast to Skipton Town Hall on Friday 17th October 2008, in order to raise money for Sue Ryder Care Manorlands Hospice. The bill includes Skipton Factor favourites, as well as new acts: David Dean (The King of Swing), Ken Leak (David Essex, eat your heart out!), Mark Waddington (Skipton's very own Award winning Trickster), Mike Coyne (Our worthy Compere, and star of TV's "The Comedians"), Clive Cope (The Comedy heavyweight!) and Daryll Hackett (Comedy Juggling and Circus skills!)" Mark Waddington, magician and Skipton Factor organiser said "I'm really excited about this year's show. We had some great feedback from our first show, and raised £1,136 for Manorlands. There were a few minor problems in regards to running the show, but we have learnt and re-worked the process and this year will be bigger and better. We are always looking for people who are willing to sponsor the event to help make it a great success, in return for advertising on posters and in the programme." Tickets are £7 each (£4 for under 12s) call 07754 671340 or 01756 792879. Alternatively, tickets can be ordered by contacting info@magikmark.co.uk. It is recommended to book in advance. Friday 17th October 2008, Skipton Town Hall, doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. (Refreshments available). 21.6.08

 

Please note: Friday 12 noon deadline for all news submissions. News submitted after 12 noon Friday will be held over for the following week. 21.6.08

 

"The Deans of Magic finally speak..." (PDF) Click Here, website: www.thedeansofmagic.biz • Paul Roffman is featured in H&F News (page 2 + 12 PDF) Click Here, and also has a new website: www.paulroffman.co.uk • Gerald Vrsalovich reviews one of John Carney's recent UK lectures, Click Here • "Tom’s magic wish fulfilled" Click Here • "Two Boston-area magicians involved in bar brawl, each sustains massive loss of hit points" Click Here • "Houdini curiosities on DVD" Click Here • "Magic man sets sights on Kilkenny" Click Here • "Paul Daniels brings a little bit of magic to streets of Aberdeen" Click Here • "Magician passionate about his craft" Click Here • "Scholars hope funds appear magically" Click Here • "At 16, He's An Old Pro At Magic" Click Here • "Nunawading magician sees magic in his work" Click Here • "Cheaters Drink Free. A former con man reveals the bar bets that can't lose" Click Here • "Here's the Real Trick: Practice Makes Presto" Click Here • It's a funny old world, see you next week, Duncan. 21.6.08

 

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