talkmagic.co.uk

Pete, i believe gunnar's arriving friday lunch time.

( roughly the same time as me and Darren)

Ooh! What say we all meet up in the Sea Hotel bar for a rousing chorus of If I Could Turn Back Tyne, or maybe even I Want To Glide My Bicycles??

You know you wanna!

Pete

I shall be there tomorrow as I am in shields now..... Make sure you are there to say Hello.

TLS

Absolutely brilliant!
Many good lectures, nice shows, relaxed, lots of nice people and of course a handfull of chipperish and jolly TalkMagic-members. Thanks for a great weekend!

More later!
All the best,

hopefully I will get a review written up for you today.

Hi all
Its all gone quiet since the convention...
Difficult for me to be impartial but I thought it was one of the best ones...
Numbers were down - 125 instead of the usual 150 delegates and also tickets sold to the public for the Gala Shows were down too
I think the delegates were down for a few reasons
1 The recession
2 No instantly recognisable 'names' - apart from Lennart (many young guys dont know who Wayne Dobson and Simon Drake are)
3 Launching the convention too late

I know many guys who wanted to come but simply couldnt afford it - having to work instead

Despite having relativley unknown Brad Manuel, Richard McDougall and Tim Sonefelt many thought this years line-up was the most talented
Brad was the 'find' as far as many commented and Richards lecture was VERY inspirational - as anybody will tell you I could hardly speak at the end of it (I have since learnt I was not alone!)

You can see photos from it by joining the Facebook group - South Tyneside International Magic Festival

Put these dates in your diary for next year - Fri 11th to Sun 13th March 2011
But dont tell the Council I told you....

Regards

Martin

an overview can be read here...

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic34472.php&highlight=

( Its the good cops bits Martin. )

I cant comment on previous years ... BUT I will certainly be going again - it was fab u lous.

My first convention and it exceeded my expectations in many ways.

Firstly the cost.... I consider the price of the convention to be a bargain. Think how much you would pay for an evening lecture at your local magic circle, multiply that by about 10 lectures, add in the cost of the tickets for three shows (two public shows and one private) add a small bit for the admin and use of the theatre facilities (light, sound crew, backstage people etc.) and you would expect to pay a small fortune. With the generous donation from sponsors such as Magicbox and South Tyneside council they managed to keep the cost to only £65 this year. For most delegates there will be travel, accommodation and meals on top of this but I still think you get a bargain.

The format... fantastic relaxed atmosphere. Lecture sessions are at fixed time slots giving lots of time between lectures to browse the dealer stands and see demos of the effects you are interested in. Most lecturers have a set of lecture notes or several effects bundled together at a 'convention only bargain price.'

There is lots of time to have meals and/or freshen up before the shows and time to just sit and chat about your latest ideas. The lecturers are there as delegates and you can usually approach them and discuss all sorts of things (but for very detailed stuff there is always the optional masterclasses.)

In the evenings (and usually well into the early mornng) most people meet up at the Sea hotel and put the world to rights with a few drinks.

I came away with lots of new ideas, met some great people, and learned a lot. Can't wait for next year.

the budget for this year, was convention fee plus 100 quid.

If i hadn't spent a tenner at five of hearts, on the Elmsey dvd.( such a bargain!!!) i would of come home with best part of 20 quid.

not bad when you consider that the 100 included food, lodging, and beer.
It's a very cost effective weekend.

( providing you dont go silly at the bar, and there are other generous friends who owe one a pint)

daleshrimpton wrote:an overview can be read here...

http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic34472.php&highlight=

( Its the good cops bits Martin. )

Thanks for that Dale - and everyone else for their kind words

Regards


Martin

I've said it before and I'll say it again: As "plugged" by John Archer, this is by far the most relaxed International Convention I have attended. I wish though that the Customs House was closer to the Sea Hotel, but bus trips between those two places before and after the Gala Show helped a great deal.

I was surprised about a few of the lectures and the lecturers. In almost all cases in a very good way, but in one case the other way around, but nothing that affected my overall view of the lovely time I had in South Shields.

Highly recommended!