Tomorrow, 18th January 2012, we will be going dark in support of anti-SOPA PIPA along with a number of high profile sites. Don’t get us wrong, we are against piracy and theft, but the SOPA/PIPA bill that may get passed in the USA could adversely effect many innocent websites, including this one, and won’t really address the real issue…

On the Tuesday 24th January 2012, the US Senate will vote on the internet censorship bill. Whilst it is an American law, it has far reaching repurcusions for the web as a whole.

There are many companies against SOPA, such as Google, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, and we are lending our weight to the argument by taking our site down for the day.

SOPA can effect anyone who links to any type of material on the internet, displays any images or photographs, or uses any sort of ‘fair use’ content. This has far reaching implications for sites that report news, this includes many many magic sites

If you think SOPA doesn’t affect you, please think again. Watch the video below. Linking to an image, a video, text could be deemed illegal by a judge if this bill gets passed in the USA, even if you are not in the USA, this effects everyone, even those outside the USA.

PROTECT-IP is a bill that has been introduced in the Senate and the House and is moving quickly through Congress. It gives the government and corporations the ability to censor the net, in the name of protecting “creativity”. The law would let the government or corporations censor entire sites– they just have to convince a judge that the site is “dedicated to copyright infringement.”

The government has already wrongly shut down sites without any recourse to the site owner. Under this bill, sharing a video with anything copyrighted in it, or what sites like Youtube and Twitter do, would be considered illegal behavior according to this bill.

Professionals and enthusiasts from around the world are being given the chance to ensure they have a magical New Year, thanks to the return of one of the UK’s most popular events.

The South Tyneside International Magic Convention, which is held annually in South Shields, near Newcastle upon Tyne, is set to return for a ninth bumper year from Friday, March 9, 2012.

The three day event, supported by MagicBox, will include a variety of workshops, lectures and masterclasses featuring leading magicians from around the globe.

Event organisers South Tyneside Council and magician Martin Duffy, former President of the Newcastle Magic Circle, have already secured an amazing line up of international acts, including Americans David Regal, Rob Torres and Levent and European performers Christian Schenk (Card Shark), Archini & Smith, Mat Ricardo, High Jinx and Ricky McLeod.

Martin said: “The South Tyneside International Magic Convention has become one of the key events in the magic calendar and one which annually attracts professionals and dedicated magic fans from around the world.

“Previous headliners for the event have included multi-award winning American illusionist Latimer, Simon Drake, creator of the London-based House of Magic and magic icon Wayne Dobson. We fully expect the 2012 line-up to be just as popular as previous years and places are strictly limited so we are encouraging people to get their tickets early to avoid missing out.”

The South Tyneside International Magic Convention forms part of a week-long festival celebrating magic in the borough, which also includes a series of performances in schools and residential homes across the North East, along with a Family Magic Extravaganza, again sponsored by specialist retailer MagicBox and two International Gala Shows, which are open to the general public.

Those who attend the convention will receive entry to both Gala Shows, which are held at the Customs House in South Shields, as well as an exclusive Midnight Show, to be held at a secret venue nearby.

The convention ticket price, which has been held at the 2010/2011 rate of £65, also covers entry to all lectures, close-up shows and dealer events that will be held between Friday, March 9 and Sunday March 11, 2012, with various masterclasses being offered for a small additional fee.

Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead member for Leisure and Community Safety for South Tyneside Council, said: “The South Tyneside International Magic Convention has been a complete sell out in previous years so now is the ideal time for people to secure their tickets early or perhaps even buy them as a magical Christmas present for someone they love.”

Places for the South Tyneside International Magic Convention 2012 are strictly limited. For more information or to book visit www.southtyneside.info/magic, call (0191) 4247986, email events@southtyneside.gov.uk or search for the event on Facebook.

Following on from the success of the London Festival of Magic that coincided with the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the International Magic Convention. Organisers of the International Magic convention and the International Magic Festival have announced that they will be repeating the events back to back in 2012.

From the 12th to the 16th of November 2012, the Bridewell Theatre will once again host a series of one day seminars and fantastic evening shows. Themes for the days include plans for Mentalism, Coins, Showmanship & Direction and The Magic of Magic, with a couple of extra surprises still to come.

“The feedback we have had for the last event has been tremendous, and although organising the event so close to the Convention is hard work, the success of our inaugural event, both in the quality of the presenters and the information and entertainment they imparted has left us with a feeling that it shouldn’t just be a one-off” said event organiser Noel Britten. “The day seminars will again be themed and available on a day by day registration basis, which allows us to really concentrate on niche elements and genres of magic utilising both the overseas talent coming in for the Convention and also some of our very top British performers as well. One of the problems with having the first event as a one-off was that we have set ourselves a high bar to reach, but already plans are coming together and it looks like this year’s event will match last year’s both in scope and performers taking part. I really hope that those who attended last year will help spread the word of the quality and uniqueness of the days we presented so that we can really build on last year’s fabulous event.”

Mark the dates in your calendar, the International Magic Festival will run from November 12th to 16th 2012 and the International Magic Convention itself from 16th to 18th November 2012.

The President and his Lady (Brian Miller and Audrey) of The International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring Number 25 send cordial good wishes for peace and happiness to magicians throughout the world and hope 2012 will be a successful year for you all.

The British Ring convention takes place in Great Yarmouth from 26th -30th September 2012. It will truly be an all British convention and acts confirmed so far include Nicholas Einhorn, Mandy Muden, Roy Davenport, Steve Hewlett, Chris Woodward and Rajan. The dealers’ hall is a very important part of any convention and we welcome back after many years of absence, Davenports and Mark Mason.

Further information will be published when it becomes available. The members’ preferential convention (early bird) rate of £95 is available up to 31st December 2011 and details can be found on www.magicconvention.co.uk

The dates for Magic-Con 2012 have been announced as April 12-15 2012, in San Diego, CA. Magic-Con is an interactive conference for those serious about the art of magic, where you can share ideas, insight, and a common experience while working together towards the advancement of an artform, you can now register as registration for Magic-Con 2012 is now open.

The Northern Magic Circle are pleased to announce the first names for the NMC 2012 Convention. The convention will be a Best of British with many award winning magicians taking part, all of whom are home grown showing that Britain really does have talent.

The first names to be released are Matthew Wright, Luke Jermay and Paul Gordon all of whom will be lecturing and performing in the close-up gala, with Luke and Matthew also performing in the evening gala show.

Matthew Wright is one of the most decorated magicians in the country having recently won the IBM Close-Up Magician of the year and also having won such prestigious awards such as The Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year, The International Champion of Close-up Magic and being placed 2nd in the FISM European Championship of Magic.

Making a speedy return visit to the convention is international Mentalist Luke Jermay. Luke has recognized what the convention team are trying to achieve and is championing the convention and Northern in many ways. Luke is the only professional mentalist specializing in corporate stage and private stage performances in the U.K and is an authority on mind tricks. Having been a consultant and creative coach to the likes of Derren Brown who said of Jermay: so creative and original…he puts the rest of us to shame as well as headlining his own one man show on the world famous Las Vegas strip.

Paul Gordon has lectured for over 90 clubs since 1994 including 3 times at The Magic Circle. Not to mention his lectures in France, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Monaco (Monte Carlo All Stars), Scotland, Italy & Germany. Every lecture has received a rave review! Its entertaining and full of doable usable magic from Paul Gordons professional repertoire.

The Convention will take place on Saturday 31^st March and Sunday 1^st April 2012 at the Scarborough Spa Complex. You can now register on line at www.northernmagiccircle.org.uk or by contacting the registration officer Alan Clarke 01772 685073

There will be a free entry raffle to win £250 of magic, if you book before the end of December you get 3 raffle tickets, end of January you get 2 tickets and end of February you get one ticket to be in with a chance of winning