USM 70th in Pictures and Words

Last Saturday evening the USM hosted their 70th Birthday Celebrations.  An evening of good grub, great company and even better magic ensued.

Nicola Cunningham (pictured) provides the words and the photo's are courtesy of Paul Gomac.  See all the pics in our Gallery.

The fun-filled day of magic kicked off with U.S.M. and Friends’ve Got Talent hosted by Trevor Price and Judged by Alan Kennedy, Jim Harvey and guest judge, Richard Pinner. There were five entrants including Maurice Simms, who travelled with his wife Akke all the way from Donegal to take part in the festivities. The competition winners would be announced later.

After the competition, award winning magician, magic consultant and youngest-ever member of the Inner Magic Circle in London, Richard Pinner, performed his lecture. Richard’s lecture was fast-paced, inventive, magical and very entertaining. A smile was never very far from anyone's face throughout and I speak for the club when I say I'm sure everyone learned a lot from this very knowledgeable performer.

After a fabulous dinner, some of the USM's own members performed close-up magic around the tables for the guests to warm up the audience for what was to be a great variety show. Fred Corvenio from the Mystics kicked off the evening’s cabaret by performing his Musical Wizard Act. This took the audience into a bizarre, exciting and fun world where musical instruments created all different sounds and were all shapes and sizes. Then, Caolan McBride and Nicola from the USM performed a fast-paced quick-change and illusion act. Then, the headlining act, Richard Pinner, took to the stage and performed a magic act that was slick, confident, magical and full of surprises that baffled and entertained both magicians and muggles alike.

During the evening, the winner of the USM and Friends've got talent was announced by the club's President, Jim Harvey. First prize and the Downey Cup were awarded to Nicola Cunningham, 2nd prize to Caolan McBride and 3^rd prize to George Bleeks.

I would just like to thank George Bleeks for organising the event and all members and non-members who put loads of effort into performing, attending and supporting the event.

Nicola Cunningham
Acting Chair of the Ulster Society of Magicians

Congratulations to The USM on magnificent 70th years.  Here's to another 70!