This year will see the Northern Magic Circle hosting two close-up gala shows during its weekend convention on Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th March at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, Lancashire.

There is one close-up gala show scheduled each day and will feature Marc Paul, Nathan Kranzo, Chris Priest and Kostya Kimlat. The shows will be an ideal opportunity to sit back and appreciate four of the best close-up magicians demonstrating their presentation and magical skill..

Each magician offers a different style, technique and personality which suits their individuality and will ensure these shows are not to be missed during this year’s Northern Magic Circle Convention weekend.

Tickets offer fantastic value for money at just £50 for the whole weekend which will feature lectures, competitions, Saturday late show, history of mystery talk, exclusive Northern Junior masterclass with the stars of the convention, twelve dealers all offering varied products, junior showtime, free masterclass (if you are a lucky winner) and all culminating on the Sunday evening with an all star gala show, a full line up and more details can be found at www.northernmagic.co.uk or by emailing alan@northernmagic.co.uk

When booking, if you mention Magic Convention Guide then you will be entered into the draw for an exclusive Masterclass with Kostya, there will be 12 lucky winners and the draw will be made on the Saturday morning of the convention.

You can follow all our news and updates for the Northern Magic Circle Convention by clicking here

Blackpool Magic’ Convention 2011 tickets are already selling fast! the 2011 convention which will open on the morning of Friday 18th February 2011 is already proving to be even more popular, possibly due to the fact that The Blackpool Magicians’ Club will host the first ever FISM European Championships of Magic in 2011 as a part of normal convention.

The European FISM Championships of Magic will run alongside all of the existing lectures, shows and mammoth 125 magic dealer showcase, making the convention an even bigger experience, and attracting those wishing to see the FISM European Championships.

The competitions will be split across two theatre venues. The Grand Theatre (which is situated 100 yards away from the Winter Gardens complex) will host the Close Up Competitions, whilst the Opera House (within the Winter Gardens itself) will host the Stage Competitions.

The full cost of registration is just £85.00 and every member of a FISM associated magical society will automatically qualify for a free book ‘The World’s Most Ingenious Magical Apparatus’.

In a change to previous years, there will be no Day Tickets or VIP Tickets and no After Gala Party.

Early registration is recommended for the World’s Largest Magic Convention! Registration forms can be downloaded from www.blackpoolmagic.com

We will be covering the FISM European Championships and Blackpool Magic Convention 2011 in detail during the run up to the event next year. Just check our FISM European Championship coverage and our Blackpool Magic Convention 2011 coverage right here.

The Blackpool Magic Convention takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday 18th, 19th & 20th February 2011 at the Opera House and Winter Gardens and Grand Theatre, Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Full details can be found at www.blackpoolmagic.com, and follow all our updates, interviews and extra information here

You can also check out our Blackpool Guide and our Hotel Guide for Blackpool, which we’ll update during the run up to next year.

Germanys ‘Gentleman Juggler’ - Jeton has now joined the star cast for next weeks South Tyneside International Magic Convention which takes place Friday 12th - 14th March 2010.

Desired by the ladies, admired by the gentlemen, they have always occupied a special place among variety artists. Jeton, who is today probably the only specimen of this elegant breed, takes the trappings of high society and incorporates them into his unconventional performances.

Walking cane, coin, cigar and billiard cues - even a large mirror glides through the air and is caught and balanced in a most extraordinary fashion. The remarkable dexterity with which he juggles balls and top hats proves just how rich and varied a juggler’s repertoire can be.

The sensational climax of his act is the ultimate balancing feat - Jeton is the only juggler in the world who balances billiard cues and a billiard ball on his chin. As the discerning eye will recognise: a minor masterpiece.

Jeton will join Lennart Green (Lecture, Friday Gala Show and Master Class), Joshua Quinn (Lecture, Saturday Gala Show and Master Class), Brad Manuel (Lecture and Saturday Gala Show), Wayne Dobson (Lecture and Friday Gala Show), Simon Drake (Live Video Interview, Lecture via Skype), Tim Sonefelt (Lecture and Master Class), and Richard McDougall (Lecture and Friday Gala Show)

As well as our own news and reporting on the run up, You can get more information, including a full list of events and how to book, please visit www.southtyneside.info/magicfestival. You can also check out our Guide and Room Booking section, and if you want to see what you missed last year check our live coverage from the 2009 convention

Thom Peterson joins the line up for the Irish Ring 85 Diamond Jubilee convention from April 30th-May 2nd in Belfast.

Thom will be lecturing, performing Stage and Closeup and will also have a dealer stand at the convention.

Thoms performance has been sponsored in memory of the late Wallace Blair - long term society member and previous convention organiser.

For further details see www.online-usm.com/Convention.html

Frank Allen “Alain the Teller of Tales” has been added to the line up for the Irish Ring 85 Diamond Jubilee convention from April 30th-May 2nd in Belfast.

Frank will be presenting a lecture on bizarre magic and performing on the Close-up show courtesy of Kaymar Magic who have just released his new DVD.

He joins other lecturers Steve Dela, John Kimmons and Paul Gordon and additional performances from Neil Henry, Lee Hathaway and local prize-winners Caolan McBride and Nicola.

Registration Details can be found at www.online-usm.com

We caught up with Derek Lever during the Blackpool Magic Convention to talk briefly about this years convention, and some of the things you can expect at the 2011 convention.

The 2011 Blackpool Magic Convention starts at 9am on Friday 18th February 2011, and will include the first European FISM Championships, featuring 30 close up performers and 60 stage performers!

Tickets and information can be obtained through the Blackpool Magicians Site, and you can follow all our updates on Blackpool 2011 here on our site.

We also caught up with The Magic Circle, and Equity, who both had stands at Blackpool, to talk about why the organisations are important to magicians, and what they can offer members.

Click below to listen.

The 2011 Blackpool Magic Convention takes place 18th, 19th and 20th February 2011, and you can check out all the photo’s we took this year below

All of our reporting from the weekend can be found on The Blackpool Magic Convention 2010 reports