BBC Radio Four today featured a program on the changing face of Magic, with performers creating bigger and better tricks to impress us. Times have changed since a magician produced a startled rabbit out of top hat with a puff of smoke.

The programme visited the 58th Blackpool Magic Convention, attended by 3500 magicians, and spoke to the organizers and the performers, as well as featuring discussions with the late Ali Bongo, the late Pat Page, current President of The Magic Circle, Jack Delvin, along with other prominent faces from the magic world, including Paul Daniels, and Alan Alan.

Listen to the program at BBC iPlayer

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.

The 47th Annual Jumbo Day will be held On Sunday 7th November 2010 at Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth, PO2 7BL. It will have all of your regular favourites…

The Sale, with many well known dealers and second-hand sellers. This year it will be extended by an extra half an hour! The Auction hosted by Merv Cole. Workshops where you can learn something new. The Star Lecture by John Archer, which is going to contain new material from his forthcoming DVD. Close Up sessions and Bob Hamilton’s Video Lounge. And of course, The Gala Show featuring John Archer, Matthew Garrett, Steve Price and Ed Hilsum.

The Advance Fast Track option is best if you wish to avoid the queues on the day. Why take the chance on the weather and queue outside when with Fast Track, you simply walk in at 9am with your pre-sent badge! Plus, you get £2 off!

Registrations are now open and close on Tuesday 19th October. Full details - www.jumboday.co.uk If you have any questions, please e-mail info@jumboday.co.uk

This year the History of Mystery session at The IBM British Ring Convention (Eastbourne 22nd - 26th September 2010), organised and presented by Eddie Dawes for the 38^th time, will move to the afternoon of Friday, after many years of occupying a Saturday afternoon slot.

The varied and interesting programme will include Peter Lane recalling the famous Westminster Royal Aquarium which from 1876 until 1906 occupied the site where the Central Methodist Hall now stands. Although initially intended to be a Central London rival to the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, with up-market attractions plus an aquarium, it never achieved that ambition and eventually became a place of popular and risqué entertainment where magicians, jugglers, acrobats and aerialists were to be seen - but very few fish! Read the rest of this entry »

Andy Stone will be updating us on progress of the IBM British Ring Convention that takes place September 22nd - 26th 2010 in Eastbourne in the run up to the convention. This time Andy writes about 10 More Reasons To Register for Eastbourne

The Opening Show: Getting the convention off to a magical start. Peter Scarlett will introduce Paul Dabek , a former “Magic Circle Young Magician Of The Year” and former winner of the “British Ring Shield”, now making a career for himself in the theatre and cruise market. Also, Stephen Williams, who won the title “World Junior General Magic Champion” at the Blackpool Showzam Festival in 2008 and has since toured with Ken Dodd. Simon Cowell, that annoying bloke from “Britain’s Got Talent” said of him, “I despise magicians, but I really enjoyed that…” Finally, we’ll enjoy the Illusions of Andrew Green, who describes himself on his website as “one of the driving forces of contemporary breathtaking illusionary in the UK today”.

Close Up Competition: The British Ring Close Up Competition this year has attracted acts of a high standard. The winner will go forward to the Close Up Competition at the FISM Europe Convention in Blackpool, next February. For many, the British Ring Close Up Competition is a highlight of our convention. We’re looking to expand the team that helps run the Close Up competition, if you think you’d like to help and I can tell you from personal experience it’s a lot of fun, email Steve Evans: stevemagicbloke@aol.com

Lectures: Whatever your magical interest, there’s sure to be a lecture at the convention to interest you. In addition to the lectures on marketing by Bob Yelland and Children’s Magic by Jimmy Carlo, mentioned last month, Charlie Frye presents some more of his “eccentricks”. Rich Bloch has more of his practical and workable magic. Martin Eisele specialises in Close Up and Stand Up magic. The ever-popular Wayne Dobson makes a welcome return to lecture at the British Ring Convention. Award winning Manipulator Cyril Harvey presents original visual effects for Stage and Parlour performance. If you’ve always wanted to put together a stand up act Ian Keable presents the lecture for you. Matt Johnson from Canada presents his lecture entitled “Monkey Business”. It is an eclectic mix of Close Up Magic, Stand Up Magic and Comedy Magic that anyone can do. No lesser personage than John Archer has described him as “Awesome”! Manuel Muerte, part of the German “flicking fingers group” presents a lecture for Close Up lovers and Flip, the creator of the “flip stick”, presents the best of his original creations. Finally, Danny Hunt will present a workshop on Escapology. So, if you’re into rope and chains and prepared to admit it in public, this is the lecture for you! Read the rest of this entry »

Magic at the Beach, Myrtle Beach’s Premiere Magic Convention which takes place January 20-22, 2011 has announced more of their line-up to this already stellar cast of performers. Having first brought in Nestor Hato from Paris, Topas from Germany, and Jay Sankey from Canada to fullfill the international talent. Here are some favorite names from their backyard:

Chris Capehart; is an accomplished master magician. He is respected throughout the world by his peers, applauded for his skills by the most famous of magicians and sought after for repeat performances by clients.

Nathan Kranzo; has performed and lectured all over the United States as well as Europe and Asia. Nathan produces several DVD’s and books teaching his original performance material. He is a columnist for the Society of American Magicians’ magazine the M.U.M. His original performance material has appeared on television in over 40 countries.

Levent; is a rarity in the field of comedy magic. His show is a mixture of masterful sleight of hand combined with hilarious comedy performed at an extraordinarily fast pace. In addition Levent is also a noted vaudeville/magic historian as well as a lecturer.

Topas, Nestor Hato, Jay Sankey, Nathan Kranzo, Chris Capehart, and now Levent !!

“Could it possibly get any better?” Glad you asked… Yes, there is more to come so stay tuned.

Visit www.magicatthebeach.org to register and learn more about the incredible resort and conference center at the Ocean Dunes Resort. Room rates are $49/night and ALL rooms are ocean front.

See you at MATB2011

Entrants hoping to take part in the annual Close Up Competition at this years Ron’s MacMillians International Magic Convention Weekend (London 26-28 November) are requested to contact Georgia MacMillan on georgia@internationalmagic.com to receive a set of rules and be considered for a place in this prestigious event.

Along with a cash prize of £1000, there is the Kevin Reay Cup and also also the chance to add the title to your resume. Past winners include such luminaries as Lennart Green, Gary Kurtz, Gazzo, Michael Vincent and many more. It is acknowledged as one of the magic world’s “Grand Slam” titles.

The competition is judged by an international panel including many overseas Convention organisers so is a great showcase event even if you don’t win one of the cash prizes or Awards of Merit. The number of contestants is limited so if you plan to enter make sure you register as soon as possible.

Even if you are not entering, The International Magic Convention is well worth attending full details are on the International Magic site. Also be sure to check out the hotel deals we have managed to secure at various nearby hotels on the main International Magic Convention Page. Please note the Thistle rate is only available until September and there are a limited number of rooms being held at that price

We will be bringing you all the news as it’s released as well as a brand new guide, hotel info and if you want to see what happened last year, check out our live coverage to see why this is such a great convention.