Things are now really moving for the IBM British Ring Convention to be held from (Wed to Sun) 4^th – 8^th 2013 September in Buxton Derbyshire.   It all starts at 12 noon on the 4^th September with the opening of the registration desk and dealers hall.   Most events will appear either at the Opera House (photo) or the adjacent Pavilion Gardens.   After the official opening on the Wednesday there is the traditional welcoming short show to herald a few days of great magic.  The first lecture is from Tim Wright from the USA.

The early evening commences with the now very popular Micro Marathon after which follows the “Gala of Youth” featuring Megan Knowles-Bacon, Sonny Pennington, Mandy Fletcher and Ed Hilsum,   all under the careful eye of compere Paul Dabek.

There will be the IBM competitions with prizes of up to £500 and details of these will be made available when the full list of competitors is to hand.

There will be a wide variety of lecturers including the Jeffrey Atkins Memorial one, this year presented by Fergus Roy on the Davenport Story.   Also a tribute to Alan Shaxon will be presented by Michael Bailey.

There is more to come and the latest information is on www.magicconvention.co.uk  where you can also register.   The Peak District is a lovely area and I feel sure you will enjoy Buxton and its surroundings.

Geoffrey Newton PRO & Advertising Manager

As the fourth EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL MAGIC FESTIVAL casts its spell across the Capital, from 28 June – 5 July 2013, audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the surreal magical world between fact and fiction.

Breath-taking illusions and awe inspiring magic from performers across Europe and as far afield as Australia will once again take you to the fun fringes of reality. Classic meets close-up, mindreading defies illusion, cabaret clashes with comedy and levitation renders the impossible possible.

The Magic and Variety Gala Show transforms the beautiful Royal Lyceum Theatre into world of unreality. Compered by THE COLOUR HAM, the finest award winning magicians from around the world are joined by a dragon, a dule of doves and the world’s first magic performing Chihuahua! The Great Lafayette Award makes its third appearance; this year’s recipient is anyone’s guess in what bodes to be a superb evening of contemporary, cutting edge magic.

Speaking ahead of the launch MagicFest Artistic Director, Kevin McMahon said: “The Gala Opening is one of the highlights of MagicFest and I’m really looking forward to welcoming the best, progressive home-grown and international performers here to Edinburgh. Most of the acts are making their Scottish debut.”

Portuguese duo, TA NA MANGA, open the Gala with their multi-awarding winning act; integrating theatre and magic, music and comedy. Frenchman JEROME HELFENSTEIN’s shadow act is filled with subdued, refined, poetic beauty; an emotive journey to new destinations. Spain’s stylish showman and master manipulator, CHARLIE MAG presents his award winning act with live doves making them appear as if from thin air. Imagine Jack Dee in a dragon suit, performing jaw dropping magic, with a cute sidekick and you have PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON and Mr Piffles the Chihuahua! International street performer and winner of last year’s ‘War of the Wizards’, Aussie TONY ROBERTS, makes his MagicFest debut performing his straight jacket escape. Last, but by no means least, are dashing duo of deception and plucky Victorian prestidigitators MORGAN & WEST who travel through time to complete the bill. Once again you can enjoy the Gala afternoon preview show for just £10.

No MagicFest would be complete without its annual intake of budding wizards and wizardesses. MAGIC SCHOOL (aged 7-10) wizardry workshops have attracted pupils from as far afield as Norway, France and across the UK, all keen to learn, create and perform their own magic. Enrol now for the brand new 2.5 hour workshops or 5-day course with fun show for parents. STREET MAGIC MASTERCLASS offers 11-14 years olds the chance to learn some mind-blowing techniques and the secrets behind sleight-of-hand from magic masters FRITZ ALKEMADE from the Netherlands and LUKE EATON from the UK.

MagicFest are delighted to bring one of the most polished and intriguing mind readers to Capital; LUKE JERMAY. Having spent the last 3 years headlining the Las Vegas Strip, Luke was the creative consultant to Derren Brown and the man credited with inspiring CBS’ multi-awarding winning show ‘The Mentalist’.

An adventurous evening out, a delicious three course meal and an immersive magical show are on the MAGIC DINNER menu, once again at the lavish Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. Wonderland characters bring everyday objects to life, help to find your muchness and promise at least six impossible things before dessert!

Enter the THE SECRET ROOM at Lauriston Castle and travel back in time to a world of clandestine laboratories and hidden passages. The finest Scottish magicians animate the castle’s mysterious past with stories, performances and illusions related to the history of Lauriston and her intriguing owners.

Are you ready to be conned? The master of scams, PAUL WILSON, is back with one of the most immersive, engaging and personal ways to experience magic. Enter the set of BBC’s Real Hustle and prepare to blown away by one of the world’s most respected performers of close-up, sleight-of-hand magic.

Returning to Edinburgh after 3 years absence, pioneer of the alternative magic scene, ALI COOK, brings the WOW factor with his big illusions and beautiful girls. Star of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Dirty Tricks, Monkey Magic, Psychic Secrets Revealed with Derren Brown and Jerry Sadowitz’s Jerry@Trick sketch show, Ali’s hugely impressive show is a spectacle to behold.

Kevin added: “For our fourth year we’re really happy to increase access to MagicFest with a series of free events in the line-up. We’ve also launched a Patron’s Programme this year allowing magic lovers to get even closer to the festival without revealing all the secrets!”

Immerse yourself in the surreal magical world between fact and fiction and have fun at the fourth Edinburgh International Magic Festival from the 28 June – 5 July.

Welcome to the 53rd Bristol Day of Magic- the best yet!

So it’s that time already! The biggest one day convention in the UK is back, and it’s back with some great names and new events.

The convention will have lectures and close up, but new this year there will be two great close up master class’s! Get closer to the act, ask questions, and be totally interactive!

Also for the first ever time Bristol will have its own competition on the Saturday night, a chance for you to battle your fellow magicians and win the much to be coveted brand new magic trophy ‘THE BRISTOL BUCKET’ And let’s not forget the evening gala show which this year includes stars from the TV as well as a FSIM world Champion.
Lectures

Jimmy Carlo – A master when it comes to children’s entertaining and Magic, Joshua Jay – All the way from the USA, a great chance to see Joshua lecture in his own unique style, Soma -from Hungary – The FISM Grand Prix winner will be delivering a great lecture on putting your act together and performance, a must for anyone who performs in front of people!

Master Class
Colin McLeod – This will be a great opportunity to get up close and personal to Colin and explore his amazing take on Mentalism, Eric Roumestan from France and Vittorio Belloni from Italy – Another up close and personal master class, Eric and Vittorio will be going through anything ‘coins’ a great opportunity for you to improve your coin magic

Close Up
A great chance to see these guys in action with a very personal performance; Joshua jay, Eric Roumestan, Vittorio

Gala Show

Let your hair down, grab a drink and be ready for an amazing night of entertainment;  The Bellini girls – vocal harmony group, Compare –Scott Wells from USA, Oliver Tabor, Colin McLeod– as seen on Britain’s got talent and Penn and Teller Fool us, Soma – Award winning act at FISM, Max Somerset – As seen on TVs The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Arthur Benjamin from the USA -the Mathmagician, Celtic Storm – Illusions

Book you tickets from www.bristoldayofmagic.co.uk Buy your tickets before 1st May and get a £5 discount

Would you like to take your magic and mindreading to another level?

Michael Weber, the acclaimed US performer is holding a very special one evening seminar in York on the 12th May 2013

This is an intimate event with hands on teaching of Michael’s groundbreaking material. More info here