talkmagic.co.uk

I have decided to go next year as i have never been does anyone know if the Gala party is worth paying the extra for. I am going for the Gold pass but noticed the gala is extra

Nah, don't bother.

The real party is at the hotel where the performers stay (can't recall the name right now).
It's free and all the "names" will be there.

Its been a few years since I went. Last time was when the wife found I'd done a magic trick and booked the assistant in my room

If the gala show is the Sunday evening show, yes it really is worth seeing You have to book an extra night in the hotel and go home Monday morning but it is worth it.

Its also a lot cheaper if you book in the hotel next door to the convention hotel. You can still sit in the convention hotel with the various magicians doing their stuff and then go next door when everyone goes to bed.

The best part of the convention is being in the bar with the magicians, but be prepared to be supping ale till 3am

Thanks guys, i will get booked up.

Bit of clarification needed:

The Gala SHOW is a must, and is included in the Gold Card.
That after-gala party is extra and IMHO isn't really worth going to.

The Hotel is called the Ruskin where all the performers stay.
They have a public bar which never seems to close.
In the bar you can have a pint with the stars who are usually happy to stay up all night talking magic and showing you stuff.

Thanks, yes i meant the after gala. I will check out that hotel when i am in Blackpool in a few weeks (i am going to the Mystique opening weekend). Thanks again guys

I just looked at Blackpool magic Clubs website and it doesnt say too much about costs and hotel packages etc. Can someone direct me somewhere more useful please, Thanks!

They don't do hotel packages but the place is full of hotels so you shouldn't have any trouble finding somewhere (cheap) to stay.

Thanks. Any further info on ticket sales though, where? how much?

saxmad wrote:They don't do hotel packages but the place is full of hotels so you shouldn't have any trouble finding somewhere (cheap) to stay.

I guess they (the local hoteliers) are glad that the convention is on at that time of year. I expect they'll not have a lot of folks booking for a few days on the cold north west coast in February. I don't know how many attend the weekend but suspect that it'll be several hundred, including overseas visitors.

JuanTheMan wrote:I don't know how many attend the weekend but suspect that it'll be several hundred, including overseas visitors.

Actually it's a few thousand! Three and a half thousand to be more precise!

Ticket info from here

Yep.
Three and a half thousand magicians - that's a lot (including me).

Tickets go on sale on July the 1st - £68 for Gold Card for the three days - really is worth it.
Loads of cheap places to stay, easy.

Yeeks - 3500. I'll certainly be there!

Doesnt say how much the different types of ticket are and what the different types are.

Oh yes deffinetly go to the Ruskin. Not sure how much extra the gala party is but i dont think its worth it from what I have heard.
It's worth getting a gold card though - acess to all areas (apart from the party) all week.
The dealer halls blow your mind. I walked in last year and was amazed at the first hall. Absolutely gob smacked to find out there were even more stalls in two other rooms and even on the balconys! - Great stuff and you'll always be bumping into great magicians.