The entrants to the 2011 Close Up Competition have been announced as:

Ludovic Julliot (France)
James Piper (Wales)
Benoit Dulche (France)
PIPO (Spain)
Claes Danell (Sweden)
Andost (USA)
Javi Sánchez (Spain)
Paul Sommersguter (Austria)
Hayashi (Germany)
Trabuk (Italy)
Alexander Popov (Russia)
Hector Mancha (Spain)
Hide (Japan)
Woody Aragón (Spain)
René Jensen (Denmark)
Lord Lucan aka Magic Paul (UK)

Registration for CAMaraderie 2012 which takes place May 3-5, 2012, Hamilton, Ontario, is now open and attendees can register on the CAMaraderie 2012 Registration page. The line up so far includes: Lectures: Michael Finney, Dwayne Laflin – Regular, Stephen Bargatze, Rick Merrill, Dwayne Laflin – Gospel, Paul Gertner, Tom Vorjahan and Daniel Herron, as well as Close up from Paul Gertner, Stephen Bargatze, Rick Merrill, Daniel Garcia, Richard Turner: 1-man show

Gala Show will include, Michael Finney, Hyunjoon Kim, Stephen Bargatze, Neil Croswell, David & Dania

Full info can be found on the main CAM website

3 weeks today on November 19th 2011, 17 competitors from 12 countries (including Japan, Canada, USA, France, Spain, Sweden, Russia, Denmark and Italy) will compete for the Kevin Reay Trophy along with a £1000 cash prize in the International Close Up Competition at The Mermaid Theatre in London.

This event forms just part of the packed weekend International Magic Convention which includes lectures, close up shows, a full evening Gala Show and the presentation of The David Berglas International Magic Award.

Celebrating it’s 40th anniversary this year, the Convention is at the end of a week when the MacMillan family also produce their very first Festival of Magic at the Bridewell Theatre. For full details of all the seminars, shows and events in both these talent-packed fixtures please visit the main International Magic Convention Registration page

The Session Convention organisers have announced this evening that the guest of honour for The Session 2012 will be none other than Chris Kenner.

“His impact on close-up magic is present in nearly every modern magician’s repertoire, and his impact on stage magic has changed magic forever. The creator of classics like “Three Fly,” “Sybil” and a whole style in which to perform, he later became chief consultant for David Copperfield, helping devise material that has changed magic on a global scale. His generosity and willingness to help the youth in magic put this guest in a class by himself. He is most deserving of this lifetime achievement award, and we are VERY pleased to welcome Chris Kenner to The Session Convention 2012.”

The Session Convention takes place January 14th - 15th 2012, in Cheltenham, UK.. we advise you to book now… The Session always sells out…

Further info can be found at The Session website

Unfortunately Paul Stockman has had to withdraw from the Mentalism Day of the Festival of Magic in central London next month (November 16th) but we are thrilled to announce that Chris Cox (5 Edinburgh Fringe Shows, 3 UK Tours and “one of the most exciting entertainers in Britain” The Guardian) has stepped in and will be making his very first ever lecture/appearance at a magic event. He will be joining Andy Nyman, Luke Jermay and Mark Elsdon for a full day of talks, explanations and discussion all revolving around the most rapidly expanding genre of magic today.

Tickets and details available for not only this day but all the other full day seminars in the week can be found on the main International Magic Festival of Magic website

And following the sell out of Max Maven’s One Man Show, the performance of our Magic & Variety Gala on Saturday 19th Nov has now sold out too, however, there are currently still tickets for the same show on Sunday 20th Nov. and also tickets available for all other events in the Convention weekend can be found on the International Magic Convention website

The convention rate hotel rooms are also selling quickly at the Crowne Plaza Blackfriars but as an alternative, we have arranged a very good rate for the convention weekend with Thistle Barbican (1.4miles). Contact them directly with booking code INTE181111 on admin.citybarbican@thistle.co.uk

With the continued financial support from Magic Box, the Customs House and South Tyneside Council, The 2012 South Tyneside International Magic Convention line up has now been announced. Previous registrants are given first opportunity to register, so if your not on that list youll need to wait for general registration to open up, but the line up currently includes:

David Regal ~ USA
David Regal is a television writer, creator of effects for magicians, and two-time Academy of Magical Arts Lecturer of the Year. Currently, he sits on the Board of Trustees of Hollywood’s Magic Castle. His background is live comedy, as a member of the main company of Chicago City Limits, and since moving to the Los Angeles area he has served as a head writer for Nickelodeon’s Rugrats, and has written for an array of sitcoms. Magic of his design is performed around the world.

Rob Torres ~ USA
For the past two decades Rob Torres has travelled to over 45 countries performing in theatres, circuses, varieties, galas, TV and film. His performances at the Budapest, Moscow and Monte Carlo circus festivals have all won him awards, but more than that, laughter! Rob has masterfully blended his formal training in theatre, circus arts, and pantomime together to create genuinely fun and memorable acts. From the moment he walks on stage or into the ring, Rob steps into the hearts of his audience and keeps them laughing long after he is gone.
International comedian Rob Torres can be understood everywhere, without saying a word. Whether he’s taking a photo, setting the table, or just sitting down, you’re guaranteed to have fun.
Rob has a great way of finding absurdity in common everyday tasks. If you’re looking for laughter, this is where you’ll find it. See for yourself why Rob Torres is the International Man of Mirth!!!

Levent ~ USA
Levent started out at a very young age performing throughout his native New York City. At the age of 17 he was awarded 1st prize for Stage Magic at the International Brotherhood of Magicians’ National Convention. This led him to have a 2 year engagement at Resorts International Casio Hotel in Atlantic City, where he was twice nominated “Best Act in a Production Show”. In 2005 he had the honour to perform at the Magic Circle Centenary Celebrations in London. In 2006 Levent was invited to perform at the “Society of American Magicians Annual Salute to Magic” at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York. In 2007 he performed at the World Magic Seminar in Nagoya, Japan and in 2008 he travelled twice to South Korea to perform at Busan International Magic Festival and at the FISM ASIA magic convention and television series. And also one of the few entertainers to be invited to Apple Computer Company headquarters to perform for the employees. In 2009 he was a regular performer on the American television series “Masters of Illusion” on Fox’s MyNETWORK.

Christian Schenk ~ Germany
Christian believes that in 2004 a client’s trade show themed “IT’s Magic” brought him back into magic as he printed his first deck of playing cards. What he thought was just a new hobby turned out to be the most serious (and fun) part of his life. He believes that his most exciting experience was being invited to the invitation only FFFF (Fechters Finger Flicking Frolic) where he was asked to do a lecture about his creations so far.

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