Number 536 - 2nd October 2010
The
Session: The UK's only close-up convention is now taking registrations for
their convention in January 2011. "The Session isn't just a place for card magic
nerds. We're the UK's only close-up convention and we cover every aspect of the
art from performance to sleight of hand to marketing. We attract the world's
best close-up magicians to perform and teach their magic. You'll learn the very
best close-up magic from the very best close-up magicians." In just a few short
years The Session has established itself as one of the UK's 'must do' magical
events. Visit
www.sessionconvention.com for more info and to register. January 15th and
16th 2011.
2.10.10
LADs,
October 3rd, Birmingham. On Sunday October 3rd World Magic Store
host 'LADs' (Lectures and Dealers) in Birmingham. The star lecturer will
be Axel Hecklau, who has been a professional entertainer for over 30
years and is a well known working magician in Germany. He has competed
in numerous magic competitions and received many top prizes including
2nd place at FISM for Grand Illusion. This is a rare chance to see Axel
lecture in the UK. Also lecturing at LADs, Nicholas Einhorn and David
Jay, who will be launching his ‘SleeveStar’ gimmick. As well as the
lectures there will be structured sessions, giving you the chance to jam
with some of the top names in British magic including Lee Smith, James
Brown and Ollie Mealing. Dealers include: World Magic Store, Albion
Magic, Vanishing Inc, Practical Magic, Dave Charles' Hocus Pocus, Axel
Hecklau, Marc Oberon and Nicholas Einhorn. For more info visit
www.worldmagicstore.com.
2.10.10
The
Serious Business of Comedy. Sunday October 24th. "For the first time ever
two of the funniest minds in show business get together to reveal the secret of
adding comedy to your act. This exclusive event will be Hosted by Michael J.
Fitch at the Ipswich Magical Society one day convention on Sunday October 24th
2010. Expect the unexpected as John Archer and Graham P Jolley share the real
secrets of comedy." Don’t miss this unique event. For more information visit
www.ipswichmagicalsociety.co.uk.
2.10.10
Romany
- Diva of Magic wins IBM British Shield for most entertaining stage act.
With a "new and improved" silent stage act Romany scooped the top award in this
year's stage competition at the British Ring Convention in Eastbourne.
Romany can be seen in
The Magic Circle Christmas Show later this year, and at Blackpool's FISM
European Championships of Magic Convention in February 2011. Here are the
various competition results and awards: The British Ring Shield Stage
Competition: 1st Romany,
2nd Ed Hilsum, 3rd Oliver Tabor.
Comedy Cup to Dave & Carl,
Manipulation award and Originality award both not awarded this year. Close-up
Competition results:
1st Alex Hansford,
2nd Will Gray,
3rd Mel Harvey. The
Rovi Trophy was awarded to Alex Hansford. The
Micro Marathon was won by Bharat Patel. Best dealers display to Razamatazz
Magic. (Photo by Mandy Davis).
2.10.10
Michael
Vincent lectures for Sheffield Circle of Magicians at 7.30pm on Thursday
October 7th. The lecture is free for members and £10 for non-members. Venue:
Magic Lounge, Magick Enterprises, 82 Broad Street, Sheffield S2 5TG (Map).
For tickets contact Russell Hall 0114 276 0482 or email
russell@magick2go.com.
www.sheffieldcircleofmagicians.wordpress.com.
2.10.10
The Essential Magic Conference
- dates for 2011 announced. The second Essential Magic Conference will take
place on July 7th, 8th and 9th 2011. Registrations for the first conference,
held earlier this year, can still be made online. Although you'll have missed it
"as it went out" the entire content is now available online, with a DVD set to
follow. Visit
www.essentialmagicconference.com for details (this is a limited offer).
2.10.10
Magic
Night - 15th October, London. James Pritchard will invite you to
punch him in the stomach! Matt Riccardo will be whipping a table cloth
off a fully laid table - and will then whip it back on again, really! A
crystal ball will float seamlessly in the air as Matt Hennem break
dances and
moonwalks, Oliver Tabor will turn violins into birds, Dark masters of
magic Barry and Stuart will amaze and amuse and Neil Henry will compare. Friday 15th October. Showtime 7.45pm (doors open at 7pm). Tickets:
£12 (or £22 including meal)
www.ticketweb.co.uk
or 08444 77 1000. Madame JoJo’s, 8-10 Brewer Street, London W1F 0SP (Map).
Tube: Piccadilly Circus.
020 7734 3040. More info: www.magicnight.co.uk.
2.10.10
Today
is the third annual Magic Moments Day, with magicians across the country
performing in all manner of venues for various charities, raising money and
putting smiles on the faces of people who need it most. In the next few weeks
MagicWeek will have updates on the funds raised and the charities who have
benefited. Co-organiser Jay Fortune said "despite the ever gloomy economic
times, it’s great that magicians have given up their time to help raise what
funds they can for worthy causes." Co-organiser Richard Leigh said "no matter
how small, every magician who does something today to brighten someone’s day is
helping create a day that is truly magical."
2.10.10
Carl
& Dave - IBM Comedy Award winners, 2010. Carl Charlesworth & Dave Allen,
were awarded the Tom Harris Cup for Best Magical Comedy Act at the Eastbourne
convention last week as reported above. Their act included the appearance of Carl in an
all-in-one pink leotard, a surprising wine bottle production, a giant head
shrinker illusion, an unexpected levitation of Dave, a cameo appearance of a
very confused Gordon Drayson, who suddenly found himself inside one of the props
on the stage, and ultimately a box penetration illusion using umbrellas that
resulted in the instant transposition of two performers - and surprise in the
audience! Carl & Dave are hoping to continue performing this act wherever they
can as they both have such a fantastic time performing together.
2.10.10
Magic
Show - last chance to see this Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition curated by
visual artist Jonathan Allen (aka the fictitious gospel magician Tommy Angel) and
writer Sally O'Reilly as it completes its highly successful UK tour this autumn
at
The Pump House Gallery in London's Battersea Park, 6th October -19th
December (free-entry private view 6.30pm-8.30pm on 5th October). The exhibition
brings together 24 visual artists whose work explores how art and magic often
share common ground, since both employ perception-shifting tactics that exploit
the power of suggestion. Artists, like magicians, manipulate and mystify not
simply for entertainment, but to redress fundamental relationship within the
social, political or cultural realm. 'Magic Show' highlights include art-world
bad-boys Jake & Dinos Chapman working in collaboration with Derren Brown, and an
archival section exploring magic's sometimes surprising connections to the world
of politics, warfare, marketing and religion, including rare items from the
collections of Eddie Dawes, Paul Kieve, Scott Penrose, Peter Lane, John Fisher,
and The Magic Circle Collection. A richly illustrated catalogue contains new
writing from Simon During, Brigitte Felderer, Peter Lamont, Pierre Taillefer,
Helen Varola and Marina Warner. For a review of 'Magic Show'
Click Here. For more info visit
www.southbankcentre.co.uk.
2.10.10
Manchester
Circle of Magicians have three star lecturers this month: Michael Ammar
lectures on Thursday October 14th, Francis Menotti (photo) on Monday 18th, and
Danny Archer on Monday 25th. Meetings are held at Salford Masonic Hall, Hemsley
House, 41 The Crescent, Salford, M5 4PE (Map).
Members are free, visitors pay £5.00. Further Details from Derek Lever
d.lever1@sky.com or phone 01253 810113.
2.10.10
The
Dreaded Mentalist Rises Again - Halloween Spooktacular! Jez Starr presents
The Dreaded Mentalist Rises Again - a Halloween show of Spooktacular
proportions. "With scary stories about the world's beliefs and superstitions,
some of Jez's childhood memories, and demonstrations of Voodoo and some long
lost dark-arts, this makes for a Halloween show that will live on through the
memories of those who come to see it! With some new effects for Halloween 2010,
Jez promises a fun and spooky show with tricks and treats for all! A Halloween
show for grown-ups!!" Friday 29th October, 8pm. 16+ Only. Tickets £8.50
available from
www.dreadedmentalist.com or 07749 538016. Limited Seats - Booking Advised.
Venue: The Sherston Inn, Priory Road, Wells, Somerset BA5 1SU (Map).
2.10.10
La
Soirée, featuring stars from La Clique. Hip circus, saucy burlesque,
stupendous stunts and comic cabaret. Hold on to your hats! London welcomes back
the crème de la crème of twisted cabaret entertainers including The English
Gents, Captain Frodo, David O’Mer (“Bath Boy”) and Miss Behave – stars from La
Clique now in La Soirée. First seen together in Edinburgh this troupe of
performers have gone on to perform around the world. They are thrilled to be
returning to London, the city where they performed for sell-out seasons at The
Hippodrome (where they won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment) and The
Roundhouse. With La Soirée you are promised more shocks than ever before with
fantastic new acts as well as many old favourites. London is the place where
audiences and critics fell in love with this crazy family of performers and they
can’t wait to get back! South Bank Big Top (situated behind the National
Theatre). Special opening offer: £25 best seats available for all performances
12th October - 14th November (excluding Friday & Saturday at 7pm. Usually up to
£45). To book call 020 7907 7000 and quote ‘Opening offer’ or
Click Here and enter promo code ‘Open’. Booking fees apply (subject to
availability). Visit www.la-soiree.com
for more info.
2.10.10
Magicseen.
"Magicseen Magazine is pleased to announce the arrival of our Taster Issue No.4.
This 39 page free downloadable issue contains the following: from issue 34 we
include our interview with Belgian creative maestro and cover star Rafael. Also
from the current issue we include the beginner's guide to dove magic which
includes advice from such luminaries as Lance Burton, Tony Clark, Brian Sefton
and Scott Penrose. Then we have put in one of the Masterclass tricks from the
current issue as well as our feature on The Magic Circle's wonderful library and
the news page. Finally, to top it all off, we have included the Comedy feature
which we published originally in issue 30 back in January of this year. Taster
Issue 4 gives you a real flavour of what Magicseen is all about, so why not try
it - it's free after all." Available now from
www.magicseen.co.uk.
2.10.10
Those
Eastbourne Editors (aka the Blackpool Bloggers) Sussex Magic Circle Magic
Men Matt
Parro, Stuart Harley and Geoff Hunt were busy blogging all Eastbourne long.
Here's their take on the convention:
www.ibm2010.blogspot.com.
2.10.10
Leamington
and Warwick Magic Society Annual Dinner. This year's
Leamington and Warwick
Magic Society Annual Dinner is on Friday 12th November at The Brook Honily
Court Hotel, Honily, Nr Warwick CV8 1NP (Map). The entertainment features Thom
Peterson 'The Amazing Guy', Hi Jinx, Mel Harvey and close-up magic at the tables
between courses. The cost per head for the four course dinner is £35. Tickets
are limited. Contact Mick McCreath on 07747 052878 to book.
2.10.10
Michael
Ammar Lecture and Masterclass - Medway Magical Society. Michael Ammar's
lecture at the Medway Magical Society takes place on Sunday 17th October at
2.30pm and tickets for the lecture are £10.00. Michael has agreed to also
present a MasterClass starting at 12 noon on the same day for just 6 people.
This is in addition to the lecture and costs £30.00. For more information visit
www.medwaymagicalsociety.org.uk - and for Michael's other UK dates see
What's On.
2.10.10
Congratulations
to Jason Rea defending Close-up Champion magician at Bolton Magician's Club.
Jason successfully defended his position as the Close-up Champion Magician at
the annual competition against last week. Jason was closely followed by Andy
Harrison in second place and Jonathan Kell in third. And from this month onwards Jason
will be performing at Bolton Wanderers football club as their resident magician
for the 2010/11 season. www.jasonrea.co.uk.
2.10.10
International
News: Houdini: Art and Magic. Through impossibly daring feats Harry Houdini
(1874-1926) captivated audiences worldwide, and his legendary escapes instill
awe to this day. In this first exhibition in a major American art museum on the
master magician and his lasting influence in visual culture, Houdini: Art and
Magic features magic apparatus, posters, broadsides, period photographs,
archival films, and contemporary art work inspired by the great magician and
escape artist. The exhibition reveals how Houdini's reputation has evolved over
time, and how the edgy performances and physical audacity which caused fear,
excitement, and apprehension in his audiences at the turn of the twentieth
century continue to inspire twenty-first century vanguard artists such as
Matthew Barney, Petah Coyne, Jane Hammond, Vik Muniz, Deborah Oropallo, and
Raymond Pettibon and others. The Jewish Museum, New York. October 29th - March
27th 2011.
www.thejewishmuseum.org.
2.10.10
Chris
Wardle lectures at The Pentacle Club. On Tuesday 5th October Chris Wardle
AIMC presents 'My Favourite Ideas'. Chris has devised tricks for Geoffrey
Durham, as well as for a wide range of magazines and books, including
contributing over 100 items to 'Abra'. This is an evening of his favourite
effects, including mentalism, close-up and children's magic. There is a small
charge for non-members and the lecture starts at 8pm at St Laurence's School,
Arbury Road, Cambridge CB4 2JX (Map).
www.chriswardle.co.uk.
2.10.10
Simon
Rosselli of Amigo's Magic
www.amigosmagic.co.uk
swept the board at this year’s South London Close Up Competition by winning the
Close Up Championship and the best newcomer award. Simon has been involved in
magic for a number of years and is a Member of The Magic Circle, but only this
year joined the South London
Magic Society. President Roy Mackenzie presented Simon with his award.
2.10.10
Lee
Smith: Walkaround Magic. The South London Magic Society are proud to present
Lee Smith's Walkaround
Magic lecture on Friday 8th October. Non-members welcome (there is a lecture
fee of £10), visit
www.slmagic.co.uk for details. Venue: United Reform Church Hall, Cobden
Road, South Norwood, London SE25 5NY (Map).
2.10.10
An
Evening of Enchantment at The Clifftown Theatre on Nelson Street in Southend
on Sea. Friday 8th October at 7.30 pm. Explore unobserved worlds and take a
journey through Time and Space with the master of mind-boggling and
draw-dropping mystery entertainment, Dr Todd Landman. The East Anglia Daily
Times said "...to call him a conjurer is to liken Barack Obama to a parish
councillor..." For tickets, email
clifftown@essex.ac.uk or phone the Clifftown Box Office on 01702 328335.
2.10.10
MagicWeek
News submissions. Please try and let us have all news submissions by
Thursday whenever possible. Failing that, please note that the strict final
deadline is 12 noon Friday for Saturday. Items submitted after Friday 12 noon
will be held over for the following week. Many thanks, Duncan Trillo.
2.10.10
Illusionist wanted for touring summer show. "We are looking for Illusion acts for a touring summer show next year around hotels in Europe. We are looking for boy/girl illusion acts (who also drive). Accommodation, transport and extra illusions will be provided. The season will run from May to October, so applicants must be free for this entire period. If you are interested please contact Scott Pepper at envoute21@hotmail.com or call 07980 253372." 2.10.10
"Paul’s vanishing act" Click Here • "Steve Carell plans post-'Office' career: a comedy about Las Vegas magicians?" Click Here • "Radlett magician Jon Allen to conjure up inspiration in South Africa at College of Magic" Click Here • David Pennington, President Wessex Magical Association, reviews Ian Rowland's recent lecture at the Wessex Magical Association, Click Here • There is still time to register for Mark Leveridge Magic's final Dealer Night of 2010 at the Holiday Inn, Winchester on Sunday October 10th - visit www.markleveridge.co.uk • More club lecture dates for 2011 from Paul Gordon this week, see What's On • "Abracadabra! Jason is the king of the tricks" Click Here • See you next week, Duncan 2.10.10