Well it’s convention season again. The first of these will have already happened. That of course is Blackpool, which is another sell-out. I didn’t go as I am not comfortable being penned in with 3,500 other people. That being said, if you didn’t go this year and have never been to their convention, it is well worth the visit. Hopefully there will be a report of some sort in this or the next Billet. Other conventions still to come are first the South Tyneside Day of Magic, which I believe is organised in conjunction with the South Tyneside Council, by Martin Duffie. Those who have attended it have remarked that it is superb value for money. The first in the year for me will be Northern Magic Circle’s Easter Parade, which is returning to Durham. It is hoped that some of you will be able to attend it over the Easter weekend. There will be several workshops including tricks that require the faro shuffle, balloon modelling and mentalism. Danny Hunt, who has become a close friend of our Circle, will be presenting his lecture about some of Houdini’s methods of escape as well as a workshop on escapology that can be done with everyday items. Amethyst (Danny being half of the act along with Annette Claire) will also feature in the Gala Show along with amongst others, Michael Pierce who presents a very funny juggling act and Dave Andrews with his vent act. There are also three competitions; The Junior Stage Competition, the Senior Stage Competition and the Senior Close-up Competition. Trophies have been brought back to Bradford from the Easter Parades time and time again. One year we brought home, I believe, about eleven of the fourteen trophies available, winning all three competitions, the trophy for the best article in their magazine and the best dealer dem. More recently, Steve Gore and I took our comedy act to Easter Parade and won all the major trophies in the competition, the first and to date the only time that has happened. Since then, I’ve brought back on my own the Clem Bailey Comedy Cup twice more along with the trophy as runner up in the Senior Stage Competition. Last year I was fortunate to add to them the trophy for originality. Darren McDonald won the Close-up Competition and the Vice President’s Trophy representing our Circle. So you can see that we have quite a record there. Would you like to have a go? You don’t have to be a member of Northern Magic Circle for the Senior competitions as you can represent the Bradford Magic Circle instead. We are one of many societies affiliated to the Northern Magic Circle. Please let me know if you would like further details. Well after Easter Parade, in May Leeds Magical Association will be holding a small convention. More details will follow when I receive them. What I do know is that they are holding a competition for budding performers of close-up. Bradford Magic Circle has been invited to send forth a champion to compete for the £100 prize. Nearer the time a second entry may be accepted. There is a runner up prize of £25 as well. The last time such a competition was held by Leeds MA was in 1998, when Alan Driffield was their president and was able to present Steve Gore and me with the prizes. I was in the bar chatting with, I believe, Arthur Russell when the presentations started so they had to wait while someone found me. I was dumbstruck to have been placed first! I have said I will enter the competition just to ensure we have a representative there, but I am happy to step aside should anyone wish to enter. I would be pleased to sit in the audience and give my support. There’ll be more news of things happening in magic. Thanks for reading. |
