The line up for the Blackpool Magicians’ Convention 2009 taking place 20th, 21st, 22nd February 2009 was announced this weekend, and looks to be an amazing set of names..

Rick Merrill, Joshua Jay, Ian Keable, David Penn, Daryl, Dr Sawa, Eugene Burger, Michael Ammar, Etienne Pradier, Marc Oberon, Tony Chapek, An Ha Lim, Jeff McBride, Ken Dodd, Arthur Trace, Ervan, Tony Frebourg, Ian Rowland, Richard Osterlind, James Randi, Obie O’Brien, and Blackpool is in negotiation with Rick Thomas, Jerome Murat, Voronin, Svetlana and more..

As well as the huge array of names there are some new events for the weekend, of course all names and events are still subject to change, however, the dealers hall will stay open later on the Friday until 10pm, and a new event, the ‘Junior British Magical Close Up Championships‘ will take place on the Friday.

With the big mentalism names already booked a ‘Melange of Master Mentalists‘ will also take place Friday evening, James Randi, Ian Rowland and Richard Osterlind being amongst the participants for the session.

The 11:30pm lecture, which has always been a bit hard going for the time of night, isn’t happening this year, but with the extras on the Friday it looks a great decision.

Saturday also see’s some potential changes to the program, with ‘The Master Magician World Championships‘ taking place on the Saturday evening in the opera house. Five performers will each perform a 12 minute close up act with giant screens, the same 5 performers will return in the second half with a 12 minute stage act, the points awarded for each half putting them in with a chance of the title ‘World Champion Master Magician‘ and a prize of $10,000.

Sunday brings ‘an audience with..‘ featuring Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger, as well as the star lectures and international close up.

The weekend is still full of the events we’ve all become accustomed to, the star lectures, International Close up Sessions, Children’s Lectures, and of course the ‘Childrens Entertainers World Championships‘..

Keep watching and listening to the Podcast for information as we receive it, and watch for our live reports and round ups live from the event next year!

Full information and booking information can be found on the Blackpool Magicians Club site. Please let them know you saw the information on the Magic Convention Guide..

We are currently compiling our new guide to booking Blackpool hotels (including ones with Wireless internet) along with a map of the area which will be going up soon…