Number 507 - 13th March 2010

 

Blackpool Magicians' Club and the FISM organisation are pleased to announce the launch of the official FISM World Championships of Magic 2012 website www.fismwcm2012.com. FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques) was founded in 1948 in Lausanne, Switzerland with just 13 member societies. The organisation has since grown and now boasts members in some 50 countries, representing 60,000 magicians. FISM is the leading global platform for magic, committed to the enhancement, promotion and development of the art, whilst encouraging goodwill amongst magicians and fighting against exposure and the copying of acts, effects, inventions, presentations and original routines. One way to achieve this is to organise, every three years, the FISM World Championships of Magic. Past FISM Grand Prix winners include Lance Burton, Fred Kaps (three times!) and Richard Ross (twice!). FISM 9th - 14th July, 2012, Blackpool, England. Book before 31st March 2010: 450 Euros, before 31st March 2011: 500 Euros, and after 31st March 2011: 550 Euros. Visit www.fismwcm2012.com for competition and registration details. 13.3.10

 

The Magic Underground. Christian Lee and Jerry Sadowitz present The Magic Underground starring a line up of magicians, known, unknown, new and internationally acclaimed, performing and trying out new material... from classic magic and bizarre tricks to breath-taking sleight of hand and post recession junk! A comedy magic spectacular hosted by Christian Lee ("King of comedy magic" - Time Out) and partner in comedy crime Wes Zaharuk ("Twin Peaks meets Cirque du Soleil"). This is a night you will never forget and maybe for the wrong reasons! There's only one thing more entertaining than a really good magician... and that's a really bad one. Best and worst acts get paid. With twists and bangs along the way, it’s one night that has to be kept underground! Leicester Square Theatre, 3rd Monday of the month from 22nd March. Doors open at 7.30pm. 5 Leicester Place, London, WC2H 7BX (Map) Telephone: 020 7492 1593. Tickets: £12.50 and £10.50. 13.3.10

 

A tricky business. "While many entertainers might have fallen at the first hurdle on finding they are suffering from MS, Wayne Dobson is still making stage appearances – with a bit of magic. Wayne Dobson was starring in his first TV series when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. His career was soaring, he was making a name for himself and a potentially debilitating illness was not something he was willing to face up to..." To read the full interview by Steve Pratt in The Northern Echo, Click Here. 13.3.10

 

Geoffrey Durham lectures at The South Lincs Magical Society on Monday 22nd March at 8pm at The Petwood Hotel, Stixwould Road, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire LN10 6QG (Map). Visitors welcome (£10.00 door charge). Members £2.00. For more information contact Burger Bill President/Secretary on 01400 261323 www.southlincsmagicalsociety.co.uk. 13.3.10

 

Irish Ring 85 Diamond Jubilee Convention. Irish magic will be a feature of the Irish Ring 85 Diamond Jubilee convention (April 30th-May 2nd) in Belfast. Caolan McBride and Nicola (photo) and George Bleeks will perform on the Gala Show while Alan Kennedy and Pat Fallon will appear on the Friday night show, hosted by Steve Dela under his 'Fantasmagoria' brand. Magicians from all over the island will compete in both stage and close-up competitions and for the inter-society Eric Pollock Award. The convention website www.online-usm.com includes a full list of visiting lecturers, performers and dealers, a provisional schedule of events and online booking. 13.3.10

 

Hellis in Wonderland. Last Monday Will Houstoun launched his new book, Hellis in Wonderland, at The Magic Circle. It contains a facsimile, transcription and annotations of an original notebook from the Peter Lane Collection. The book features explanations of the magic that Professor Hellis taught his students in 1873, probably the same material that he taught Hoffmann before Hoffmann wrote Modern Magic and that caused David Devant to describe Hellis's show as "One of the most satisfying two-hours’ performances I ever saw. Each trick or group of tricks was kept distinct, and the programme was perfectly balanced.” Hellis in Wonderland is a high-quality hard-bound book with a dust-cover and has been printed in a signed numbered limited edition of 500 copies. Visit www.willhoustoun.co.uk/HellisAbout.html for more information and to order. Will's first book The Notebook is also now back in print after selling out at The Los Angeles Conference on Magic History. The Notebook got great reviews from Genii, Magic and The Magic Circular and can be ordered via www.willhoustoun.co.uk/notebookabout.html. 13.3.10

 

Magic Soc Gala Show 2010. The University of Nottingham's Magic Society proud to present Magic Soc Gala Show 2010 featuring Marc Oberon (FISM World Champion of Parlour Magic 2009), Jonathan Shotton (IBM British Ring Most Entertaining Magic Act 2008), Chris Cross (top Contortionist/Escapologist) at 8pm (Doors open at 7pm) on Friday 19th March at The Great Hall, Trent Building, University Park Campus, The University of Nottingham. Tickets: £8 (advance), £10 (on the door). Tickets may be purchased from Albert, the Magic Society President on 07501 664043 or by sending an email to sumagicsoc@nottingham.ac.uk. Facebook users Click Here. 13.3.10

 

Uri Geller to hunt for treasure in Forth. "Celebrity spoon-bender Uri Geller is to spend 24 hours on an island in the Forth searching for Egyptian treasure. Mr Geller, 63, plans to look for ancient artefacts thought to be left by Tutankhamen's sister on the Island of Lamb, which he bought last year..." To read the full story from the BBC Click Here. "Uri Geller to Sleepover on Lamb Island in search of legacy of Pharaoh Princess" Click Here. "Uri Geller's night on treasure island" Click Here and, finally, watch Drew McAdam and Uri Geller in North Berwick on YouTube, Click Here. 13.3.10

 

The Big Big Variety Show plays Blackburn on Friday 19th March at the Blackburn Thwaites Empire Theatre. "The show features comedy magician Mark James, top illusionist Andrew Green, ‘Ken Dodd Comedy Award winner’ John Kimmons and Junior magic champion Stephen Williams. The show also features rock duo Merci and a full support cast of dancers and singers. A fantastic line up and sure to be a massive hit." Show starts 7.30pm. Tickets £12. www.thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk. 13.3.10

 

MagicWeek awarded 'Communication to the Magic World' trophy by The Order of the Magi. It's not often that we find ourselves on the MagicWeek news page, but do so this week, as recipients of The Order of the Magi's 'Communication to the Magic World' trophy, awarded on March 11th, The Order of the Magi's 101st birthday. Many thanks to President Ian Ball, Public Relations Officer Geoffrey Newton, the council and the entire membership for such a nice surprise! DT. 13.3.10

 

Bigblindmedia have just released the first two items from their new apparel line. The Tshirts are aimed squarely at magicians, with some beautiful designs from both French artist Sam Hayles and the UK's own Adrian Gower. The first shirt features the Karnival Deck's skeletal Joker printed in special UV ink. And the second shirt has a huge, oversized front print emblazoned with the words - Card Star! Available in M, L, XL and XXL, both Tshirts come with a free deck of Karnival Cards (RRP £5.00) - grab a bargain today! www.bigblindmedia.com. 13.3.10

 

Jumbo Magic Auction - Manchester. Manchester Circle of Magicians are holding a Jumbo Magic Auction on Tuesday 16th March at 6.30pm at Salford Masonic Hall, Hemsley House, 41 The Crescent, Salford, Manchester M5 4PE (Map). Admission: Free for members, £3.00 for non-members. Featuring hundreds of items including close-up magic, books, DVDs, stage magic and more. Star auctioneers Mike Shepherd and Derek Lever host the event. For further information contact Derek Lever on 01253 810113, email d.lever1@sky.com. 13.3.10

 

Kostya Kimlat lectures for the Scottish Conjurers Association on Wednesday 7th April at 7.30pm. The Scottish Conjurers Association is continuing what has been an outstanding season for lectures with a visit from world renowned close-up magician Kostya Kimlat. Kostya made his name with the roadrunner cull (a beautiful thing to watch), but that is not all he is about. He is also a very successful professional magician and excellent entertainer. The lecture consists of a wide range of magic from the simplest to very complex magic that is more than worth your time to learn. You will leave with countless ideas that will help you get the most from your magic, and improve how you entertain your audiences. Entry fee for visiting magicians, £10 payable at the door. For more information email secretary@scottishconjurersassociation.org.uk. Venue: Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, 10 Balcarres Avenue, Kelvindale, Glasgow G12 0QF (Map) www.scottishconjurersassociation.org.uk. 13.3.10

 

Peterborough Society of Magicians - Lecture, Sale and Exchange Day. Peterborough Society of Magicians are holding their annual Lecture, Sale and Exchange Day on Sunday 28th March at Millfield Community Centre, Lincoln Road, Peterborough PE1 2PE (Map) £12 admission (plus concessions). Tables can be booked through Keith Downs; call 01778 343167 for details. Lecturers: Martin Cox and Christisn Lee. Workshop with Al Smith. Magic dealers: Magic Books by Post, Zane's Magic Shop, Merlins, Albion Magic, Hocus Pocus, and Mick Hanzlik the magical locksmith. Doors open 9.15am. 13.3.10

 

Danny and Annette of Amethyst presented a magic workshop followed by part of their show which is currently on tour with The Ken Dodd Happiness Show, for the GSG Conference 2010 at Birmingham Children's Hospital last week. Amethyst were supporting the Galactosaemia Support Group. Suffers have a condition whereby they are unable to break down galatose - found in milk products. Galactosaemia is a rare condition and just 12 - 18 children are born with it each year. For more information about the group visit www.galactosaemia.org or email amethystmagic007@aol.com. (Photo: Annette, Mike Bevington a support worker for the charity who suffers from galactosaemia and Danny Hunt. 13.3.10

 

Paul Gordon's 'all new' card magic lecture. Paul Gordon presents his 'all new' Card Magic lecture for The Derby Magic Circle at 7.30pm on Wednesday 26th May. "Come and watch Paul perform and teach in his usual energetic way. All workable doable card magic; mostly from his new DVDs, Card Startlers and Card Rarities." Breadsall Village Hall, Derby DE21 5LF (Map). www.derbymagiccircle.co.uk. 13.3.10

 

Paul Voodini Private Lecture. Peter Simon emails: "On Wednesday 3rd March I teamed up with Paul Voodini by arranging a private lecture for like minded individuals. The lecture was entertaining as well as being informative and covered Paranormal Entertainment, glass moving, séance work etc and non-gimmicked mind reading (cold reading). Paul's wealth of experience and passion in these areas came across and it was clear that this was someone who'd really been there and knew what he was talking about. I arranged the evening as a small private lecture for 10 individuals because I felt that due to the off-beat subject, this lecture wouldn't appeal to everyone. This lecture is not for anyone who's a trickaholic, new to magic or just curious, these people will get nothing from it, in fact, they will probably struggle to 'get it'. This lecture is for the serious performer, one who has experience and confidence in audience management. I would highly recommend this lecture to anyone interested in this area of magic. Paul can be contacted via: www.seancenights.co.uk" Peter Simon, www.petersimonmagic.co.uk. 13.3.10

 

Tony Griffith 'At Home'. Time is running out for those wishing to take up the few remaining places at Tony Griffith's 'At Home' event on Sunday, 18th April. This takes place at his home in Bristol and is a day long event from 10.30 am until 5pm. Registration includes morning coffee, buffet lunch and light tea. Visit Tony's website www.tonygriffith.co.uk for details. Tony can also be seen lecturing at the York Society of Magicians on May 12th - see What's On. 13.3.10

 

Last week magician Matt Grindley was asked by his friend Jeff Holland of Hi-de-Hi fame to appear at the Heritage Foundation lunch in Jeff's honour. Matt made such a splash he will be returning to perform for the Heritage Foundation no less than three times this year. Guests including, Su Pollard, Vicki Michelle, Bobby Crush and Eastenders star Charlie Clements watched Matt's amazing close-up magic and stage show. 13.3.10

 

Magic and Laughter Show. Following his win in the stage competition run by the Nottingham Guild of Magicians last year John Dornan was asked again to take part in the Magic and Laughter Show, held at the Arts Theatre, Nottingham. John had a spot in the first half which included magic and comedy routines and audience participation. John is seen here with top of the bill, Jimmy Cricket. www.johndornanmagic.vpweb.co.uk. D Lewis reviews the show this week, Click Here . 13.3.10

 

Legal Hypnosis for Magicians. "On June 12th and 13th in Manchester Jonathan Royle will be teaching how to become a 100% legal, safe, licensed and fully insured comedy stage and street hypnotist and how to combine hypnosis with magic and mentalism. This is the first time he has run this course since 1993." For details visit www.magicalguru.com/stagecourse. 13.3.10

 

Congratulations to the Fellowship of Christian Magicians UK competition winners at this year's conference. David O'Connor (photo) won the close-up competition and Volker de Haas won the stage competition for a second time. The 5 day conference held in Swanwick, Derbyshire also featured workshops, masterclasses and lectures by David Tomkins, Simon Williams and Matt Pritchard. For more info about the Fellowship of Christian Magicians UK visit www.fcmuk.org - new members are always welcome. 13.3.10

 

"Illusionist Derren Brown on bringing his show Enigma to the Liverpool Empire" Click Here • "Bafta TV awards gaffe blamed on 'human error'" Click Here • "Review: Derren Brown’s Enigma" Click Here • "Review: Derren Brown - Enigma at the Congress Theatre" Click Here • "Ghost Stories at the Lyric Hammersmith, review" Click Here • "Magician tricks baffled Becks" Click Here • "Talented trickster proves it's a kind of magic in Circle joy" Click Here • Ian Rowland reviews Jasper Blakeley as ‘Kockov’ at the Wales Millennium Centre, Click Here • Many thanks for your news this week, see you next week, Duncan. 13.3.10

 

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