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That's right, the Festival will be 4 days and includes European FISM Championships. The Winter Gardens won't be big enough to host everything so the FISM Close Up competition will be in the Grand Theatre just down the road.

Hi Mandrake
Where did you get the dates from?
The booking form didn't have dates on it, so I asked one of the BMC folks at the reg. desk and he said they didn't have confirmed dates yet.

I really hope it is that weekend as it will be the first time I've been able to go before the Friday night.
IB

It's in the 2016 programme on page 5, Festival News. I assume those details are right as even the lady at our hotel had those dates ready for taking bookings and deposits for next year. However, as the BMC c*cked up the times of one of the events and the location of the Wayne Dobson & Friends Show, I suppose there's a small possibility of error! I also assume there will be the auction on the Wednesday but, if there isn't anything for that day I might have time to stroll down and actually see the sea - I haven't seen it at Blackpool for at least 5 years!!!

Thanks. I only checked on next year's reg form so didn't notice it in the programme. These dates are perfect for us.

No worries! Those forms are usually already in the programme or are available at the registration desk. This year they didn't arrive until Saturday! However, it's easy to criticise and I know I couldn't do any better so I'll keep schtum!

I note the payment arrangements are either PayPal or cheque but not until Arthur Casson sends an email requesting payment.

Really hope i can make it this time round every time i plan to go but never get round too it.

Do the magicians meet up after each days events

also which hotel/b n b would you recommend.

Finally got round to making a definite plan to attend a Blackpool convention but now a few questions for 2017.

1.where do all the magicians meet up after the days events and shows

2.a easy to find hotel or BnB single rooms cheap but adequate.

3.who here is going?

4.convention recommendations

Can anyone go to this event or do you have to be a member of a magic club. I would love to go and have a look.

lotusteve wrote:Can anyone go to this event or do you have to be a member of a magic club. I would love to go and have a look.

Anyone can go - or at least that's what I assume, as I've been once before and I'm not in any clubs, societies, etc.

All that's required is you have to pass an audition on the way in - you have to be able to perform a faultless Elmsley Count, along with a pass of your choice ...... j/k by the way ..... which is just as well, or I'd never get in lol

Magicians certainly do meet up, usually at The Ruskin which gets jam packed or at one of the other hotels in the vicinity. There are loads of hotels, Albert Road is a ten minute walk from the Winter Gardens and has dozens of hotels to choose from.

Anyone can go to this event, just contact Arthur Carson at Blackpool Magicians Club - there's a registration form on their website.

1. The bar at the Ruskin is the most popular place, a hotel round the corner from the venue, but there are also smaller get togethers that seem to evolve on the day. There's been some good karaoke in the last couple of years at other pubs.

2. I recommend Arlington's for convenience but by now it might be a simple matter of "where's got free rooms?" As it's out of season many places simply aren't open which makes the rest in demand.

3. I am, wouldn't miss it!

4.
Study the timetable beforehand and see what overlaps. It takes a good few minutes to walk between the different rooms so if you can find yourself in the same lecture space for two in a row that's much better than coming in late and having to stand at the back.

Buy nothing on the first day. Tell yourself that if it's sold out on the second day then that's just fate. I've seen people come away with hundreds of pounds of new kit and then never use any of it.

Stay hydrated, schedule your own lunch break.

Anyone with a huge moustache is worth talking to. One of them will be me.

Usually Magic Daily sends out announcements about which lecture is about to start on their Twitter account, as there's not been an official event twitter.

Get to Beat The Wand (a fringe event that has been slowly becoming more mainstream) early, and do not relinquish your seat.

Make sure you go to the Wayne Dobson show to get caught up on all the in-jokes.

Chat to the dealers. They're there for the event too and get to see so much less of it.

There's an excellent cafe just outside the Winter Gardens, turn right - has a big plastic Elvis or something.

Couldn't have put that better myself.. Everything fiftytwo said is correct. Spotting a magician shouldn't be hard in Blackpool at that time of the year. Most of us normally wear cheesy jackets, and there's always a hat balancing on their heads to make them look intelligent, except mine, as its too big to fit the average size hat. Try and get yourself there, even if its just for 1 day, rather than the 3 days.. You wont be disappointed. Oh, bring plenty of money, that's the best advice, and don't buy everything you see on the dealers stalls, otherwise you be spending the rest of the weekend in your room.. Good luck.
Regards Garry.

So Febuary 2017 im going to blackpool for the convention!
ive just bought my ticket today.
cant wait!!!!!!!

Wikkidddddd!!!

In 2017 it will be slightly different as it's a day longer and incorporates Euro FISM so you've picked a great time for your first visit. Start racking up some sleep now 'cos you won't get much in Blackpool!

I don't seem to need much sleep so that's good. Just hotel to book. I'm going Wednesday afternoon and leaving Monday morning so I get all 4 days worth of fun and magic