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Never too early to start a thread on this! The dates are Feb 17th to 19th, apart from the chocie of compere any thoughts as to what ought to be changed/added/put back etc?

More focus on the event outside of the championships would be nice. If they're running the convention in the same fashion next year and I'm just going to book myself into the Ruskin and sit in their for 4 days.

Lawrence wrote:More focus on the event outside of the championships would be nice. If they're running the convention in the same fashion next year and I'm just going to book myself into the Ruskin and sit in their for 4 days.

I was in the Ruskin this morning (long story) and even though it had a "morning after the night before feel about it" I can see how just booking in there from Thursday night to Sunday night and forgetting all about the shows etc would be an excellent plan.

I notice that the prices for next year are £85 Adult, £55 Junior for all three days and evening shows, Saturday only £50 and £40, Sunday £60, £50 respectively. Saturday show only £25, Sunday show only £30. There's also a £5 discount if booked before 31st March 2011 but not sure if that applies to all prices or just the 3 day tickets. The 'freebie' seems to have no early bird time limit as previous years and is a book, value £25 (again!), David Howarth's Miracles of Magic

I'm assuming the after show party on Sunday is included again but if so, a lot more chairs and tables need to be in place beforehand, not being dragged in as the acts were starting and most certainly if there's a cash food arrangement then more than one person taking money with one other serving - I think I'll take sarnies next time!

Lawrence wrote:More focus on the event outside of the championships would be nice. If they're running the convention in the same fashion next year and I'm just going to book myself into the Ruskin and sit in their for 4 days.

I think that is a perfect plan! and at least you will get a seat before everyone else.

If there is a FISM Europe in 2012 it'll be elsewhere but I believe these things are held every 4 years or so? On that basis Blackpool ought to go back to the 'usual' format but if they do the closeup stuff in the Horseshoe area again I just hope they get some proper sound screens. Every time I've watched them I could hear the performers (and their applause) to the left and to the right quite loudly but not the performer I'm trying to watch - accoustics in there are terrible. I was glad to see they'd moved the video camera out of the front of the Spanish Hall, far better for the lecturers and audience not to have to try and see around that chap on a podium with the camera and tripod!

I notice there are no VIP tickets again and also no separate ticket for the after show party on the Sunday night so that change is being carried on.

There was speculation in the Ruskin that with FISM 2012 there not too many months afterwards, the February bash might be a bit low key and perhaps taking second place to the Summer event. Only time will tell...

if they do the closeup stuff in the Horseshoe area again I just hope they get some proper sound screens. Every time I've watched them I could hear the performers (and their applause) to the left and to the right quite loudly but not the performer I'm trying to watch

I understand where you are coming from there. Additioanlly, there are never enough seats and often the performers are having to shout over eachother.

As the Horseshoe is such a big area, I can't see why they don't space out the tables out a little more and use the whole 90 degrees, leaving larger gaps between the screens and fitting more seats in - simples?

Miss.Demeanour wrote:simples?

Far too simples - but it works for me!!!

They have used this awful noise distraction at the Blackpool Convention Close Up for at least 30 years or even more. It is about time it was done away with. I would just simply refuse to perform under those conditions.

When Bill Malone was there a year or two back, he had the usual chants of "Bill Ma-Lone, Bill Ma-lone'' going and it totally ruined the efforts of the guy I was watching next door. There's a definite need for more space between perfomance areas and some nice, thick, tall padded sound absorbing screens!

Woo hoo, tickets arrived today!

There are now three evening shows each starting at 7pm: Magic of the Orient on Friday, Magic from Europe on Saturday and Magic from the USA on Sunday. This time I have the same seat for all three shows, nice touch!

Well. Looking like i'll be in Blackpool but not attending the convention, just the Ruskin.
I know at least one other board member is going to join me for this; anyone else doing the same?

Hotel not booked yet, but the Grosvenor next door to the Ruskin in a rat infested s*** hole so always has availability even on the convention weekend!

Being a noob who has never been to a convention, what is to be expected at this event?

I assume that there are lots of fringe things going on, hence why your happy to stay in the Ruskin???

ACE T wrote:I assume that there are lots of fringe things going on, hence why your happy to stay in the Ruskin???

No fringe things. Just the social aspect of the Ruskin and various nights out in BPool

If it's your first time go to the convention: visit the dealers, see the shows, attend the lectures, get drunk.

Lawrence wrote:

ACE T wrote:I assume that there are lots of fringe things going on, hence why your happy to stay in the Ruskin???

No fringe things. Just the social aspect of the Ruskin and various nights out in BPool

If it's your first time go to the convention: visit the dealers, see the shows, attend the lectures, get drunk.

Social it is. Where do I sign?