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Hi can anyone tell me what's actually on at Blackpool 2009 - I've never been, and before I spend all that money on tickets, accomodation and travel, I would like to know what I'm actually really paying for - are there lectures, and who by? I hear there's a show - who's appearing (this might sound odd, but I never buy theatre tickets without knowing what the show is or who's in it) and how long does the show last - 20 minutes? 2 hours?

I'm beginning to think it's a secret - you don't find out until you've bought the tickets - like when you buy an effect!

So far I've only found one convention (semagicconvention) that advertises the content in advance, although they seem to have one act "to be announced". Perhaps all the conventions are selling tickets but not actually booked any acts yet?

Woa there! It's far too early for the line up to be announced and, as in previous years, there will be additions made and announced right up until the end of January. The Blackpool Magic Club website will give all the news as and when it's available and you don't have to buy tickets yet, you can always wait a bit longer until you know more about who's booked to appear. The VIP and Gold Passes may have all gone by the end of this year but Silver Passes and Day tickets will be on sale right up to the event itself.

You can also check www.magicweek.co.uk each Saturday for news announcements on this and most other conventions.

Thanks Mandrake ! Mind you if they wait until then to announce who's on etc., it's leaving it a bit "last minute". I'm guessing they are relying on previous attendees to just buy tickets on faith, and new visitors like me as a last minute bonus to the ticket sales! With a theatre show I can usually see who's on months in advance, so I guess I'm just used to having that information.

If previous years are anything to go by, the announcements will start soon, possibly September onwards. There will be additions to the initial list and there's certainly an element of stringing the announcements out to keep the topic live and ongoing! Derek Lever is the guy who organises the Convention and he's an old style agent and booker as well as a performer and magic dealer, there isn't much he doesn't know about promotion and publicity! If you buy tickets now and change your mind, there's a refund process up to a few weeks before the event so you might be able to take advantage of that offer if you find you don't want to be at the Convention. If you check the threads about the previous Blackpool Conventions then you'll know it's a frantic weekend and can be very expensive once you set foot in the Dealer Halls........

Incidentally, I just checked the BMC website and, apart from the regular mention of Ken Dodd, there's no news of a line-up yet but I've made a few enquiries and if I get anything back I'll post it here.

Thanks again Mandrake! By the way - Derek Lever - did he by chance have a relative called David Lever? I worked with David in Bournemouth during the 80's, and most people who met him remember him as a lovable conman (very fondly though), and he was also a wizard at promotions and advertising. I also heard that David died in Blackpool, so maybe they are related?

No idea of the relationship. sorry. Derek has written books on his experiences as agent and booker, the first volume was given out this year to all those registering early and the next volume will be given out next year. There are a lot of tales of disasters, funny stories, and so on but I don't recall mention of a brother or other guy with the Lever name. Derek's e-mail address is on the BMC sire so you might want to get in touch and ask him.

You can always buy a ticket now, and if you are unhappy witht the lineup, sell it back at the same price.

Hi Arthur, I have no idea on what's on at Blackpool 2009. But, believe me... I attended the last 2 editions, in 2007 and 2008, and be sure that I'll do the same in 2009!!

Don't worry about the programme, in any case this is an AMAZING convention with lot of artists, lot of people, lot of dealers, lot of fun and lot of magic!!!

That's my very personal opinion, obviously. As a suggestion I can tell you to wait and check on the Blackpool Magicians site, say starting from next October, and many things should be revealed. I always buy a GOLD pass for all the three convention days and shows.

Hope it helps, CIAO!

R.

ive heard mcbride will be there.

Yeah McBride has been Confirmed I believe as has Joshua Jay, I think Michael Ammar is another that will be back again this year.

There's always a host of world champions there even if they don't confirm the full line up till nearer the time you're probably not going to be disapointed.

Very suspiciously we've had four newcomers all arriving and, as their first post, asking who's on a Blackpool and then immediately criticising because they can't get a full listing. Let's put a stop to this propaganda right now, Blackpool traditionally does not publish full details until nearer the date, that doesn’t mean there's any kind of con to get money up front, in fact there’s no need to buy any tickets until the list of artists is known. It doesn’t take much effort to find that out so all these posts trying to make it sound dubious are on very shaky ground and, if our suspicions are correct, are not genuine personal comments. Let’s face it, if Blackpool published a full list now and had to amend it due to changes in circumstances affecting the various magician’s ability to attend then they’d be criticised for that. Let’s keep this matter fair and stay away from any personal criticism of the people involved in the convention – that’s not what TM is for, OK?

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