The IBM British Ring convention takes place this year in Eastbourne, 24th - 28th September 2008, and looks to be a fantastic event again. The convention features no less than six stage show, featuring Jeff Hobson, Kalin & Jinger, Norm Neilson, Jason Byrne, Tony Chapek, Raymond Crowe, Michael Finney, Claudius Specht, Mike Close, Gene Anderson, Mel Mellers, Oscar Munoz, Safire, John Archer, Levent, Mark Mitton, Mark Raffles, Richard McDougall, Michael Weber, Denny Haney, Eddie Dawes, Roy Davenport, Alex Proctor, The Great Nardini, Romany and Amethyst. There will also be a ‘Stars of the Future’ show which will have it’s artists announced shortly.

Close up will be catered for in the International Close-up Gala with Nick Einhorn, Bob Kohler, Derek DelGaudio, Glenn Farrington, Jon Armstrong and Jason England, as well as Juan Tamariz providing a one-man Close-up Show. There’s also two Late Night Sessions of stand-up magic during the convention

Lectures throughout the Convention are provided by Juan Tamariz, Geoffrey Durham, Jeff Hobson, Nick Einhorn, Kalin & Jinger, Levent, Guy Hollingworth, Mike Bent, Michael Finney, Bill Herz, Oscar Munoz, Bob Kohler, Gene Anderson and Michael Weber, as well as a “Hard Core Card” session by Jason England and Derek Delgaudio. There are also seminars by Paul Freeman, Michael Symes, Roy Field and John Palfreyman.

Two competitions, for The British Ring Shield for stage magic and The Zina Bennett Trophy for close-up magic take place during the week, as well as Ali Bongo’s Micro Magic Marathon and a mammoth Dealer’s Exhibition are all in the registration fee of £125 per person (£100 for British Ring Members and their Partners). Day registrations are also available.

Children’s Showtime with Terry Herbert, Dave Andrews, Jonathon Shotton, The Safire Magic Light Puppets and Mike Bent can be attended for an additional small fee.

The convention is featuring a Midnight Audience on the Friday with Juan Tamariz in the Jevington Room at the Lansdowne Hotel tickets will be available from the Registration Desk from Thursday onwards at £20. This session is strictly limited to 60 people. Paul Wilson is also holding a midnight session in the Alfriston Room at the Lansdowne but limited to 40 people at £10 a ticket.

Full Details on the website: http://www.britishring.org.uk/ and on our own event listing for the convention here

Don’t forget to check out our guide to finding and booking a hotel for this convention here