FISM China have delivered the goods with another *spectacular* banquet dinner. Simply unbelievable. Lavish & opulent, another beautifully printed menu with drinks and food flowing throughout the evening. Entertainment started off with a full symphony orchestra, Vanessa Mae style band and an award-winning classical opera star. The mind boggles at the military precision that must be going on behind-the-scenes to pull this off. Incredible. And this is the SECOND banquet of this level.

Special FISM awards were presented to Juan Tamariz for Philosophy and Theory, Bill Kalush received History and Research (accepted by Richard Kaufman) and the Creativity award went to Jim Steinmeyer.

With the activities of the past few days finally catching up (and a welcome opportunity to get to sleep before the early hours) I ducked out early while the rest of the entertainment and merriment followed.

Read all of the reporting as we get it Direct from China by clicking here

Craig Mitchell has allowed us to duplicate his reports from the Genii Forum

Blackpool Magicians Club has been awarded the honor of hosting the 2012 FISM WORLD MAGIC CHAMPIONSHIPS.

A delegation from the Blackpool Magicians’ Club including Derek Lever, David Plant and Andrew Green headed to Beijing to this year’s FISM Conference to post the UK bid to host the championships in 2012.

The comprehensive 50 page bid compiled by Derek Lever was presented to the FISM committee displaying the extensive convention achievements that Blackpool have stacked up over the past 57 years of record breaking conventions in Blackpool.

The group were delighted to receive the news that they had been awarded the honour at a special event in Beijing and were overwhelmed with the support from fellow magicians to host this prestigious event in 3 years time.

Work will now begin on developing an incredible line up of events for the UK conference in 2012. Derek Lever and the team will start to bring the many elements together to ensure that the next FISM conference puts the UK on the international map for being the capital for the creative magical arts and attract the best competitors and biggest stars in magic to its shores.

For FISM Registration Details Contact

ARTHUR CASSON - Registration Officer : + 44 (0) 1253 393688
44 Bryan Rd, Blackpool, Lancs, England. FY3 9BE

or http://www.blackpoolmagic.com

Today was the last day of the close-up contest with some of the stronger acts kept for last.

A day with a number of ‘award winners’, Shawn Farquhar who was ‘Well executed and great response from the crowd’, and Marc Oberon got ‘Some audible gasps at the visual changes’ seemed to be the best of the bunch in this session.

Craig’s reports and views as he saw the acts performing today are below

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The third round of the Stage competitions, as reported in detail and his view by Craig Mitchell.

An Ha Lim from Korea being a firm favorite (pictured left) as Craig writes below:

A clear FISM winner who swept the stage with his unbelievable dexterity. The act was featured at IBM SAM so I’m sure most are familiar with this tidal force of cards that appear from everywhere. While the act is horribly repetitive - he is unbelievably skilled and received a standing ovation.

and also Juan Ordeix, Argentina in Mentaism, who got a standing ovation for a perfect prediction.

Read the rest of Craigs views on the acts today below: (more…)

Tomorrow the General Assembly of FISM meets to decide the location of the 2012 FISM. Contrary to other rumors on the internet, we can confirm that the vote hasn’t been taken yet, and no one has ‘officially’ won the hosting of 2012, but at present Blackpool is the only bid.

Blackpool has been issuing registration forms for 2012 during the event, the dates and cost we’ll confirm once an official announcement has been made.

This evening we enjoyed the second FISM gala show, produced by Hank Moorehouse and compered by Topas, who was as good as ever. He opened with a song about FISM and was joined on stage by a choir of well known magicians, conducted by Max Maven!

The show proper featured Omar Pasha with his stunning black art act, David Sousa with his suave manipulations and Dove magic from Merok. A new act to many was Shi Lei and Jiao Jiandong a very slick Chinese hand shadow act.

We saw illusions from Peter Marvey, Victor Voitko and Yunke from Spain. The non magic show-stealing act on this occasion was the Diabolo Acrobats from the Chinese State Circus. They were amazing.
Closing the show was Jeff McBride with his act as known. Today’s lecture offers were by Mac King, Lennart Green and Miguel Puga.

Below the FISM choir, an all star cast!