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Blackpool Magicians' Convention 2007

As this event draws closer, these are a few details gleaned from http://www.blackpoolmagic.com/

Dates: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 23rd, 24th, 25th February, 2007
Registration desk opening times: Friday 12.00 noon until 10.00 p.m. Saturday 8.30 a.m. Until 5.00 p.m. Sunday 8.30 a.m. Until 5.00 p.m.

Location: Opera House and Winter Gardens, Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, England

Artists booked so far:
Stan Allen (USA): comedy with a bunny
Greg Frewin (Canada): the world's greatest dove magician
Juliana Chen (China): a grand prix winner at a FISM convention
Jay Sankey (Canada): a close-up master
David Roth (USA): a master of coin magic
Michael Rubenstein (USA): great close-up magic
Randy Wakeman (USA): the first visit over here for 15 years
Simon Lovell (USA): the crazy man of magic
Greg Wilson (USA): close up and stand up
Henry Evans (Argentina): super close-up worker
Aldo Colombini (USA): terrific close-up magic
Nathan Kranzo (USA): the first visit of this great close-up worker
Ian Rowland (UK): mentalism and close-up
Dirk Losander (USA): the inventor of the sensational floating table
Omar Pasha: the world's greatest black light act
Adrian Walsh (UK): television's hilarious comedy compere
Tony Stevens (UK): compare of the Saturday night championships
Sos & Victoria Petrosyan (Germany): incredible quick change specialists
Die Zauderer (Germany): the recent FISM comedy sensation
Marc Metral (France): superb ventriloquist with a live dog
Jerome Helfenstein (France): a stunning hand shadow act
Nestor Hato (France): a new manipulation star
Dan Garrett (USA): close-up and stage performer.

Sixteen close up magicians will perform over the weekend. Eight on Saturday and a different eight performers on Sunday.

Already booked for close up shows are:
Jay Sankey, Aldo Colombini, Simon Lovell, David Roth, Michael Rubenstein, Henry Evans, Marc Oberon, Ian Rowland, Randy Wakeman, Nate Kranzo, Gregory Wilson, Dan Garrett etc.

Friday night forum. Taking part will be Wayne Dobson, Hank Moorehouse, Stan Allen and Terry Seabrooke. It commences at 6.00 p.m in the Spanish Hall.

Saturday night: The British Magical Stage Championships incorporating the magical, x-factor - commencing at 7.00 p.m. In the opera house. Already booked Alec Powell, Dave Allen, Andrew Green, Atmosfear, Joe Ray. Keelan Leyser etc. Compere Tony Stevens.
At the end of each artiste's act the judges will comment on the performance.
Several guest artistes will perform at the end of the competition including: Stan Allen with Killer the Rabbit and Sos & Victoria Petrosyan.

Costs:

Saturday registration: all events including British Magical Stage
Championships/Gala Show/Eight close-up performers Adult: £35.00 Junior: £20.00
Sunday registration: all events including gala show (but no after gala show party tickets) Adult: £45.00 Junior: £20.00

Saturday evening: British Magical Stage Championships plus international Gala Show only Adult: £17.00 Junior: £17.00

Sunday evening Gala Show - seat only Adult: £20.00 Junior: £20.00

After Gala Show party - either Spanish Hall for supper and show or Theatre Bar for supper and close-up magic. Adult: £12.00

Gold Card registration - admission to every event at the convention except the After Gala Show party Adult: £68.00 Junior: £34.00

V.I.P. Gold Card registration - admission to every event at the convention except the After Gala Show party plus preferential theatre seating etc. Adult: £88.00 Junior: £54.00

I'm excited. I've never been to this convention. Does anyone have any tips on accomodation? Somewhere cheap and not too distant?

I've never been to Blackpool.

I am thinking of going myself. Is it any good ?

jericbilo wrote:I'm excited. I've never been to this convention. Does anyone have any tips on accomodation? Somewhere cheap and not too distant?

Well when I went to Blackpool last month, I stayed in a TravelLodge in Lancashire, about 20 miles from Blackpool.
By car it takes around 30 minutes to get to the seafront. So that gives you a rough idea.

If you're planning on doing more than one day then it might b better to stay closer to the venue to avoid the all day parking and the late night travelling. Google for Blackpool hotels and you'll find plenty which are open in February - some close for refurbishment or to give the owners time off in January/February.

Hey!

Blackpool is one of the biggest and the best. Always organised and run very well when I've been there.

Blackpoool itself isn't the greatest place but northerners are friendly! lol

Hope to see some of you there!

Ian Gee

jericbilo wrote:I'm excited. I've never been to this convention. Does anyone have any tips on accomodation? Somewhere cheap and not too distant?

I've never been to Blackpool.

There are 100's of guest houses less than 1/2 mile away from the venue so check when you ring them to make sure they are not too far away.. I know Albert road has lots of guest houses and is a easy walk to the venue, there are 2 or 3 more roads full of guest houses either side of that.
I've been 3 times and have yet to find one that isn't cheap and cheerful
Don't waste your money on a travelodge or the like as there are much better deals to be had.. and you get a breakfast too.

blackpool is great there are lots of venues cheapest would be a B&B

iangee wrote:Blackpoool itself isn't the greatest place
Ian Gee

You kidding, I love Blackpool, great place lol.

Yea I want to attend for one of the days, but I'm not promising a thing.

Hi. First post here. Very interested in going to the convention. Do you have to be a member of a recognised club?

Do you have to be a member of a recognised club?

No, you just need to buy a ticket either in advance or on the day. It's an awesome event and one not to be missed if possible. PS Welcome to TM, how about nipping over to Introductions and telling us a bit more about yourself?

I used to live in Blackpool and it was a most wondrous place. I suspect it still is although I have heard that it has changed somewhat.

Actually I have lived for long periods in various cities as well as short periods in many more. Blackpool beats the lot of them. I learned all my wicked ways there.

I am tempted to visit the convention so that I can see if my old haunts are still there. There was a fixed counter there on Central Pier which would not easily be moved. I sold svengali decks on it. I wonder if it is still there after 30 years.

I think Geoffrey Thompson, boss of the Pleasure Beach was looking for me trying to get money out of me before I skipped town. I was delighted to hear from a Canadian amusement park owner that he dropped dead recently so that is one less thing to worry about.

Yep. I might make it over there. Blackpool was the most evil place I ever lived. I must say that I felt quite at home.

Yep. I might make it over there. Blackpool

It'll be great if you could make it Mark.

Maybe I will-maybe I won't. We shall see...................

I'm thinking of going, since next year will be my last year in UK but I'm not a working pro. Should i attend all 3 days event?