Goncalo Jorge and Pedro Teixeira, also known as Ta na Manga, were kind enough to send us some photos from the British Ring Convention, where they won this years IBM British Ring Shield.

You can find more information at the Ta na Manga website, or follow Ta na Manga on twitter or facebook

This years British Ring Convention in Southport, the winners and various awards were:

Ta na Manga, IBM British Shield Winners 2011

Stage Competition Winners:

• 1st: Ta na Manga with Inspirato
• 2nd: Elemental
• 3rd: Ianthe

• Manipulation: Elemental
• Comedy: Not Awarded
• Originality: Tim Shoesmith.

Closeup Competition Winners:

• 1st: Matthew Wright
• 2nd: Michael Neto
• 3rd: Paul Ingram
• Rovi: Marcus Taylor.

Micro Marathon Winner:

• Bharet Patel.

Dealers Trophy:

• Practical Magic.

Many Thanks to Richard Morrell for updating everyone on the winners, you can follow Richard on Twitter as well

It was all hands to the pump (the balloon pump that was!) when The International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring promotions team set up a stall in Southport Town Centre last Saturday to market the public shows which are part of their forthcoming convention 22nd – 25th September.

Between 12 noon and 2pm the team made up and gave away over 400 balloon models and flyers to delighted passers by, providing information on these productions. On Saturday morning 24th September at 10.30am in the Southport Theatre there is a children’s magic show featuring Sooty and other top children’s entertainment. At this performance you could win one of a number of Sooty Goodie Bags just by sitting in a lucky seat selected at random from the box office on the morning.

On Sunday 25th September at the same venue at 8.00pm there is an International Gala of Magic and Variety. This event features international acts and includes Shawn Farquahar and Romany from the recent Penn and Teller Fool Us, Saturday night TV show.

Tickets for both these productions are available direct from the box office or on line at www.atgtickets.com/southporttheatre or by calling 0844 8713021. The latter two methods will be subject to a booking fee.

The photograph shows: (l. to r.) Public Relations Officer Geoffrey Newton, President Keith Cooper, President’s Lady Pam Cooper, and Rick Tynan.

Full and weekend registrations include a gala show ticket (but not the children’s show) and details are on www.magicconvention.co.uk

Photo: Carol Tynan.

The International Brotherhood Of Magicians, British Ring No. 25, 75th Convention takes place 22nd – 25th September 2011 in Southport.

Further details can be found at www.magicconvention.co.uk or by telephoning the Registration Officer, John Palfreyman on 01743 792090

This has again been placed in the very capable organising hands of Julie Llusion. For 2011 another excellent speaker has been sourced in the name of Pam Bosworth from Grantham with “A History of Fashion and Millinery”. Pam has been involved in the fashion business since the 1960’s when, during her teenage years she began modelling for a variety of shops in the Midlands.

In the 1980’s a hat hire service was created having seen the demand for millinery items required for one off special occasions. On the strength of this success she branched out into fashion. Ladies had regularly complained to her that expensive outfits they had bought for weddings, christenings etc would not be worn again. Pam started her Premier Dress Agency to sell these designer labels at half price.

This talk down memory lane with designs and fashions over the years should prove an interesting afternoon and Pam’s motto is if you look good, you’ll feel good.

The International Brotherhood Of Magicians, British Ring No. 25, 75th Convention takes place 22nd – 25th September 2011 in Southport.

Further details can be found at www.magicconvention.co.uk or by telephoning the Registration Officer, John Palfreyman on 01743 792090

Some children don’t smile because are too embarrassed; they have cleft palates. Operation Smile enables children from all over the world who were born with cleft palates to have the surgery at no cost.

On The Anthony Darkstone In Conversation Talk Show at this year’s IBM British Ring Convention, Michael Finney, Shawn Farquhar, Joe M. Turner & Jason Andrews will be signing two decks of Bicycles each. Every card in each one of their decks will be signed by these four Super Stars of Magic.

Attendees will have the opportunity to win one of these decks. The rules are very simple. At The Registration/Welcome desk there will be a large box. Simply put your business card together with a UK banknote into a standard envelope & drop it into the box.

At the end of the show, each guest will draw two names that will win a deck each. The money collected will be presented on stage to Michael Finney by IBM Ring 25 President Keith Cooper. Michael Finney is the Founder & Board President of The Michael Finney Foundation. The Foundation was established in 1997 and its primary purpose is to raise money for Children’s Charities. These funds will go to the Children’s Charity - Operation Smile.

Apart from the signed decks from the above named guests on the show, there will be two more decks of Bicycles signed by George Schindler – past National President and currently, The Dean of The Society of American Magicians. Also kindly donated by The Dean will be two of the highly sought after DVD’s of “Entertainment First” as prizes.

That’s 12 prizes in total on the show. Each one a collectors’ item.

Attendees may place as many envelopes into the box as they wish. There is no limit. No restrictions. Except one! Envelopes that don’t contain a UK banknote will be disqualified.

Smile – You could be a winner, in every sense of the word. That’s real Magic!

The International Brotherhood Of Magicians, British Ring No. 25, 75th Convention takes place 22nd – 25th September 2011 in Southport. Further details can be found at www.magicconvention.co.uk or by telephoning the Registration Officer, John Palfreyman on 01743 792090

This years IBM British Ring convention features a range of lectures and shows. The following lecturers (with their subject titles) will appear at the convention:

Mark James Extravert, Mel Mellers Making Magic Commercial, David Tomkins New Children’s Magic, Shawn Farquhar Bread and Butter, Joe M. Turner Eyes and Mind, Michael Finney Sharing Secrets from My Life in Magic.

As well as the above heres a run down on the shows you’ll be able to enjoy:

The Opening Show on Thursday morning (22nd September) features Pat Fallon, Mark James, Mandy Fletcher (who was a great success at the President’s dinner earlier this year), and illusionist Chris De Rosa completes the bill to open up the days of great magic.

The Ali Bongo Magic Marathon will be there on the Thursday evening and afterwards it’s Cabaret Night with Vittoria Marino, Wez Zaharuk, Sonny Pennington and Safire.

The Late Night Gala of Magic after the gala dinner features Michael Carr (another success from the President’s dinner), the talents of Jordan Gomez, Mel Mellers with his own special style, Mat Ricardo a juggler with something plus, and the well known skills of Amethyst.

The Children’s Show on Saturday morning 24th September is again produced by Clive Moore and Jean Ellison (Clivo and Jeani) and features Paul Joyce, David Tomkins, Safire with both illusions and black light puppets, and Topping the bill is everyone’s favourite Sooty with Richard Cadell.

The International Gala of Magic and Variety on Sunday night 25th September is being compered by Aonghus McAnally (Ireland) who will introduce Michael Finney (USA), Guy Barrett and Company (UK) Jeton the Gentleman Juggler (Germany) Shawn Farquhar (Canada) who fooled Penn and Teller on their UK TV show recently. Romany (UK) also from the Penn and Teller show, Rafael (Belgium) and Jason Andrews (USA)

As well as all this the regular events will include:

More History of Mystery presented by Eddie Dawes; this year features Brian Lead The Tragic deaths of Lafayette. David Hibbard A Glimpse of the David Devant Collection of Photographs from The Magic Circle Archive. Jon Marshall Secrets of the Sideshows

Special Venue Shows are again being arranged by Peter Greenwood at various locations throughout the town. (more…)