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Hi all. Just a quick note to say that the line-up for the South Tyneside International Magic Festival (S.T.I.M.F.) Convention has now been announced for 2015. It will run in South Shields from Friday March 13 to Sunday March 15.
Those featured in the lectures, close up sessions and gala shows will include Michael Finney, mentalist Satori, mind readers Atlas and Looch and Luke Jermay, card experts John Carey and Gordon Bruce, family magicians Russ Brown and Dave Andrews, theatrical performer Kieron Lefever and illusionists The Great Nardini, High Jinx and Diamond and Jade. John Archer will also be making an appearance and is assisting organisers in this year's event.
I'll try and keep you updated with more details as we get them but if you've any questions in the meantime please leave a reply and I'll answer ASAP.

In the next few posts, we’re going to introduce you to some of the magicians appearing at the South Tyneside International Magic Festival (S.T.I.M.F) Convention 2015 - starting with comedy magicians Michael Finney and The Great Nardini

Most of you will know Michael from his years on the circuit and may even have seen him at the STIMF Convention a decade ago. We’re delighted the 2009 Magic Comedy Act of the Year is crossing the Atlantic again in 2015 and look forward to sharing his outstanding talent and humour.

The Great Nardini is a comedy magic act by Paul and Mhairi Nardini from Scotland. Over the years the duo has picked up many awards, including British Magical champion and World Champion of Comedy Magic. They have also performed around the world, including more than 50 shows at the legendary Magic Castle in Hollywood.

You can find out more about both acts and buy tickets for the convention at http://www.southtynesidemagic.com

Today we’re shining the spotlight on three more acts who’ll be appearing at the STIMF Convention – can you guess who they are? If not, then you need to brush up on your mind reading skills and these are the perfect people to help you do it…

Luke Jermay’s awe inspiring, intuitive abilities have gained him high profile fans such as Derren Brown, Dynamo and Uri Gellar, with his Sixth Sense show earning 5 star reviews from Edinburgh to London’s West End.



The equally talented Satori, named Mentalist of the Year in his native Germany, has worked for more than 15 years to perfect his abilities in memory, concentration and body training and is known to millions across Europe thanks to his live shows and multiple TV appearances. He is one of a few professionals who perform a mental act of this calibre.



Atlas and Looch are two of the most unique mind readers in the world, with an uncanny ability to transmit and receive thoughts with unnerving accuracy - see for yourself, when all three acts appear at the S.T.I.M.F. convention in March 2015.




For a full line-up visit http://www.southtynesidemagic.com and stayed tuned for more introductions…

If you’re struggling to amuse magic fans of all ages, then family entertainers Dave Andrews and Russ Brown may be able to lend a hand.

You may recognise Russ as winner of CBBC show, The Slammer, thanks to his unique combination of crazy gags, music and lots of audience participation.

Dave also has many years of experience in performing colourful, fun and engaging magic shows for children and regularly appears at the Magic Circle in London.

Both will be appearing at the 2015 S.T.I.M.F. Convention

Lets hope that everybody hasn't spent all their money at Blackpool, as its just a month after..

Thanks Mr Invisible - we do get attendees who have been to both and we believe that our convention is different and affordable enough to make it worth it.

Good luck.. Maybe a few will save for this one instead.. Sadly wont be attending any conventions next year, as they are taking there toll on my finance's.. Especially Blackpool, which seems to get more expensive every year..

For the fourth part in our Meet the Magicians series, we’re putting down the smoke and mirrors to introduce you to illusionists High Jinx and Diamond and Jade, who’ll both be appearing at the S.T.I.M.F. Convention in March.

Award-winners High Jinx, made up of newlyweds Michael and Tamsyn Jordan, use a mix of magic, illusion, escapology and circus skills to amaze, puzzle and sometime even scare their audience. In 2011 the duo were placed 2nd in the European FISM championships in Blackpool and represented the UK in the FISM world championships in July 2012. They are also former winners of the coveted International Brotherhood of Magicians British Ring Shield.

Diamond & Jade are based in Liverpool, but travel worldwide, and have been working since 1989. The act was formed by Michael Diamond, who has been performing magic from childhood, and has devised many of his own effects and illusions, along with authoring two books on magic.

For your chance to see both acts visit http://www.southtynesidemagic.com" target="_blank

Today we’re shuffling on to the next part of our Meet the Magicians series and pulling out two aces from the S.T.I.M.F. Convention deck...

Leading card technician Gordon Bruce rarely gives lectures or appearances for other magicians but we’re pleased to say he’s making an exception for us.

If that wasn’t enough, we’ve also got John Carey, who’ll be leading a special lecture on to handle card effects without diluting their impact.

For more details visit www.southtynesidemagic.com

Last but by no means least in our Meet the Magicians series, please say a huge hello to Kieron Lefever, a true eccentric with a flair for the theatrical, incredible, awe-inspiring and often shocking magic and no regard for the status quo.

He is the 12th name to be announced for the S.T.I.M.F. Convention in March 2015 – but I’m sure there was one more…

Oh yes, (unlucky) number 13, a man who needs no introduction – but I’ll give him one anyway – Mr John Archer.

John is a member of the inner Magic Circle with gold star and a winner of the Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year. This comedian, writer and all round nice guy (can you tell he checked this before I posted) has been assisting with the organisation of the year’s event and will be there in fine form throughout the weekend.

For more details and a full line-up see www.southtynesidemagic.com

Happy holidays everyone. I'll be back with more S.T.I.M.F. updates in the New Year but in the meantime please remember to check out our website www.southtynesidemagic.com and book your tickets for the friendliest convention in town!

Hey all. In the next few posts I’m going to be giving you a rundown of what’s on at the South Tyneside International Magic Festival (S.T.I.M.F) Convention 2015.
Please note these times and events are subject to change but, as it currently stands, day 1 on Friday March 13 will run as follows:
10am – Children’s Show with Russ Brown
11am – Children’s Show Lecture with Russ Brown
12pm – 1pm – Lunch break
1pm – Lecture with Satori
3pm – Lecture with John Carey
8pm – Gala Show featuring Dave Andrews, Satori, John Archer, High Jinx, Luke Jermay, Diamond and Jade and compered by Michael Finney
11pm – Exclusive Midnight Show
Registration will take place between 9am and 10am and again from 12.30pm until 1.30pm. Dealers will be open 9am – 6pm
For more details call 0191 4247986, email events@southtyneside.gov.uk or visit www.southtynesidemagic.com

It’s time to talk about the second day of the South Tyneside International Magic Festival (S.T.I.M.F) Convention 2015 on Saturday March 14. At present this is scheduled to include:
10am – Lecture with Kieron Lefever
11.30am – Lecture with Atlas
Between 1pm and 2.45pm convention attendees will be split into two groups to enjoy a dealer showcase and a close up session with John Carey, Luke Jermay and Gordon Bruce
3pm – Lecture with Paul Nardini
4pm – Lecture with Luke Jermay
8pm – An International Gala Show compered by John Archer and featuring High Jinx, Atlas and Looch, Dave Andrews, The Great Nardini and Michael Finney
Registration will open from 9.30am to 10.30am and dealers will be open from 9.30am until 6pm
For more details call 0191 4247986, email events@southtyneside.gov.uk" target="_blank" target="_blank or visit http://www.southtynesidemagic.com" target="_blank" target="_blank

The third and final day of the South Tyneside International Magic Festival (S.T.I.M.F) Convention 2015 will be held on Sunday March 15 and is expected to include:
10am – Lecture with Gordon Bruce
11.30am – Lecture with Michael Finney
Dealers will be open from 10am until 2pm and there’s a chance to book masterclasses with Atlas and Looch and Satori. These will take place at 3pm and incur an additional cost. All other events listed in this and the previous two posts are included in the convention fee of £65.
For more details call 0191 4247986, email events@southtyneside.gov.uk or visit www.southtynesidemagic.com

I went to Blackpool last year. It was an experience:
Massive, loud, bustling, sitting at the back of large lecture rooms, simultaneous lectures where I wished I could be in two places at once. Queues for food and crowded hotel foyers in the evenings....a very good but overwhelming experience.

S.T.I.M.F is different.
They take over a theatre building for the weekend.
The number of delegates is restricted so you can literally meet everyone and get time to talk (rub shoulders) with all the lecturers and performing artists.
Very friendly and informal atmosphere during the sessions and breaks.
Single dealer hall (small in comparison) where you can get around all the dealers over the weekend and have time to view/discuss everything on display.
Lectures are sometimes spilt into two streams (to keep the numbers down) but repeated so your stream wont miss any of the lectures.
Free entry to two public gala shows and a delegate-only midnight show at the nearby Sea Hotel.

... and all for the very reasonable price of £65 which includes all lectures and entry to all shows
There are optional master classes on the Sunday afternoon where you can get an in-depth and (almost) one-to-one advice and instructions from a couple of the lecturers.

If you have never been to a convention before, or if you have been to Blackpool this year and want a quieter weekend to help you recover, then S.T.I.M.F would be ideal convention for you... and you will find yourself coming back year after year.