Irish Magic News

Keith Barry on The Saturday Night Show

2013-05-13T17:05:32Z

Ahead of his upcoming run of shows in The Olympia, Keith Barry performed on Brendan O'Connor's Saturday Night Show last Saturday. The performance caused quite a stir on Twitter with people lauding and lambasting in equal measure. To be fair Keith took many of the negative comments on the chin, even retweeting many. You can watch the clip (for the next 20 days) on the RTÉ Player here. And you can follow Keith on Twitter here. Keith plays Dublin's Olympia Theatre from 10th July and you can book tickets here.

Tyler Erickson Lecture :: Dublin 4th June

2013-05-09T21:49:03Z

Tyler Erickson  world renowned magician, teacher and lecturer will be appearing at the June SIM meeting. His lecture will start at  8pm in Cassidy's Hotel , Dublin 1. €15 for non-members bone fide magicians.

Tyler Erickson is a full-time professional magician, working exclusive corporate and private party events. His magic school has seen hundreds of students from beginners to full time professionals. His lecture is about self-improvement; both for professional and casual performers. This is absolutely not a dealer dem. Aside from the notes, there will be nothing for sale.

Tyler's goal is to help you get more out of your performances. All effects shown are to serve as object lessons for increasing the impact of what you are already doing, and creating your own custom effects. Tyler views sleight of hand as a language. There are easy words and complicated words and all sorts of guidelines on how they go together. Rather than locking specific moves to specific effects, he presents an adaptive approach using the best tools for the job based on the venue and the performers abilities.   Unlike any lecture you have ever seen!

"Tyler Erickson is a quite exceptional magician and a gifted teacher. One would be very fortunate to study with him." Eugene Burger

"I have turned to Tyler over and over as a dependable source of information and inspiration." Garrett Thomas

"..with his wide range of skills in magic, sleight of hand, methodology, construction and design...I was very impressed...“ Michael Vincent

"Rarely do I meet a magic teacher with the technical skills that Tyler possess...his ability to perform and teach are astonishing." Jeff McBride

You can find out more about Tyler by visiting his website.

IBM Honours Bestowed by John & Carol Pye

2013-05-09T21:25:42Z

The International President of The International Brotherhood of Magicians John Pye and his good lady Carol are currently on a whirlwind tour of Irish magic clubs. In addition to promoting The IBM and enjoying the company of his Irish friends John is also awarding Presidential Citations to certain magicians in appreciation for the support and contribution to the IBM and magic in Ireland.

Last Tuesday night at the SIM Pat Fallon (pictured with John and Carol) was honoured. He is joined by John Bowden, Joe O'Donnell, Paddy Ward and Vincent Finucane. Congratulation to one an all.

IBM Ring 85 Belfast Convention Reviewed

2013-05-09T11:13:36Z

Last weekend saw the staging of the IBM Ring 85 Magic Convention in Belfast and with a strong line up it promised to be a fantastic weekend. Friday night saw the official opening by The Lord Mayor of Belfast who, it had turned out, had an interest in magic and years previous had actually shared the stage with Pat Fallon.

You editor along with travelling companion Nevin Cody arrived bright and early on Saturday morning. As is always the way it was great to meet up with old friends and make new ones. One was struck by the number of younger, newer faces that were attending USM members in the main. Surely this augers well for future conventions.

Andi Gladwin was first up to lecture. I had not seen Andi lecture before and was expecting it to be mainly cose-up card work. I was very pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. Highlight for me and many was his Psychometry stage routine.

In between lectures there was time to visit the dealers. If there was one gripe ( and really there is only one) about the weekend it must be the dealers. Save Emerald Magic (Pat Fallon), Banshee Magic (Tony Thursby) and a brief appearance from CasinoShop.ie there weren't any. The individual lecturers did sell merch at the end of each lecture mind you. Also the dealers were in two separate small rooms, not unlike bedrooms. This, possibly had an effect on business as many people may have been apprehensive about entering a small space. At least in a big space one could choose to leave more easy if not purchasing. The fact that the main hall for the lectures could have easily accommodated everything was not lost on some attendees.

The close-up competition was next. Judged by Joshua Jay, Andi Gladwin and Joe O'Donnell it proved to be one of the highest standard comps in recent years. Rodd Hogg from the USM held off challenges from David Lillie, Steven Morgan, Kevin Gartland (who may have one had he not gone under time), Michael Thurston and Fred Corvenio. Congrats to Rodd Hogg.

Aldo & Rachel Colombini followed with a terrific joint lecture that touched on Rachel's recent health scare. Funny, moving, and to end romantic. A great hour spent.

The day finished off with a great close-up show. Gala dinner, a tight three act show featuring the hilarious George Firehorse and drinkies were the perfect end to a super day.

Sunday gave us an illusion lecture from Guy Barrett, the master teacher and presenter that is Joshua Jay and the precise, superb magic of Axel Hecklau. Registrants were also treated to a performance of MathaMagic, a really well thought out, engaging and energetic show touring schools in NI right now. Produced by CahootsNI and starring Caolan McBride, Nicola Cunningham (put a ring on it Caolan) and Victoria Vitesse.

The Gala on Sunday night took place in a nearby theatre which was just perfect. Andi Galdwin as a first time emcee was impressive, the opening act Steffy, a UV hula hoop act was beautiful, Aldo played a stormer, Axel was immaculate and Guy Barrett and his two dancers were high paced and brought that illusion oomph needed to close a show. Gazzo, of cups and balls fame, closed the first half. Terribly disappointing to my eye. Others were raving about him.

All in all this was a cracking weekend. Although somewhat pricey for younger magicians from outside the area (the hotel was £90 per night to stay) if you planned right local B&B's were half the price. The welcome as always was top notch, the line up superb, the magic world class and the friendships made should last a life time.

Thank you, genuinely, to the USM, Ring 85, and organsiers Caolan McBride, Nicola Cunningham, Paul McIneeny, George Bleeks and of course Trevor Price. See you all at Shenanigans 2014!

Second Hand Book Sale

2013-04-24T21:25:12Z

USM member James Hobart is selling some of his book collection. There are some great titles to be had including books by Geoffrey Durham, Devant, Steinmeyer, Caveney and more. And all at decent prices too. You can download the complete list here. It contains details of how you can contact James. Those going to the Belfast convention could also save on postage as James will be there and you can collect directly from him.

SIM Meeting 7th May features talk on Social Media

2013-04-16T14:34:09Z

The SIM meeting on 7th May promises to be another cracker with a talk from, amongst others, Social Media Trainer Noel Davidson. Anyone interested in joining the SIM should check out there website.

Northern Irish Magician Rodd Hogg to perform Houdini Stunt

2013-04-09T09:15:34Z

Via The Belfast Telegraph we learn that Rodd Hogg will, this June in Carrickfergus harbour, as part of Armed Forces Day, attempt to perform a handcuff escape after a fall in to the harbour from a helicopter. Read the full article here.

Gazzo added to line up for Belfast convention

2013-04-08T14:45:14Z

Renowned street performer Gazzo will appear on the Sunday night Gala show of the upcoming IBM Ring 85 convention in Belfast next month.

A magnificent weekend of fun and magic await in the beautiful city of Belfast. The line up is nothing short of world class. To have top performers such as Andi Gladwin, Joshua Jay, Axel Hecklau, Aldo Colombini, Guy Barrett andnow Gazzo on your doorstep is quite remarkable. Congrat's must go to organisers The USM on such a strong line up.

Registration is £90 strl and includes your Saturday Banquet dinner. A WAG's weekend registration of £65 also includes the dinner. The convention takes place at the fabulous Ramada Plaza Belfast.

You would be a fool to miss this smashing weekend. Full details on the convention website.

USM DInner in Pictures and Words

2013-04-03T16:20:45Z

The Ulster Society of Magicians Chairperson Nicola Cunningham hosted Dinner for members and guests last Saturday evening. As Nicola was the first ever female Chair of the organisation the night itself had a certain feminine flair to it. Nicola posted the following few words on Facebook and the photo's are courtesy of George McIntyre.

You can view the photo's in our Gallery here or watch the embedded slide show below.

"The USM Dinner Event last Saturday night was a fantastically funny and magical night had at the Rockmount Golf Club. There was a whopping 70 people who supported the dinner and I just want to say thank you to you all for coming along and making the dinner such a success for the club.

Ursula Burns kick started the showcase titled "Girls just want to have fun" by letting us all know who our harpist was for the evening. :) Her act was witty, laugh out loud hilarious and her music was very enchanting and magical to listen to.

After a short interval the leading lady, Mandy Muden took to the stage. Mandy's act highlighted exactly what the evening was all about, showcasing performances from women who are bounding ahead in their professions. Mandy put on a fantastic performance of both magic and comedy combined. Mandy was charming, sophisticated and at times very barmy but everyone really fell for her character on stage as soon as she took to it and really it really showcased that girls definitely have more fun."

Mandy Muden at The USM Dinner

2013-03-26T11:08:27Z

Mandy Muden will headline what looks to be a fantastic evening of fun this Saturday 30th March at The Ulster Society of Magicians Dinner.It all happens at Rockmount Golf Club, Carryduff, Belfast and gusts are asked to be present at 6:45 for a 7:15 start time.

'Girl's Just Want to Have Fun!'

As this Year is special, in that it is the first time ever the Ulster Society of Magician's has had a Female Chair at it's helm, Nicola Cunningham has decided to have an evening dedicated to Female Magic and Performance.

So with that in mind, the Fabulous Ursula Burns will be playing her beautiful Harp whilst members off the USM club dazzle and delight guests with their magical trickery. Then Ursula will be performing her Musical Stand up act before award winning Magician and Comedian, Mandy Mudden takes to the stage to deliver her funny and witty act.

Mandy is the only woman ever to combine Comedy and Magic on the UK Comedy and Corporate circuits. She has a striking personality with a razor sharp wit and so creates a fantastic rapport, offering a great line in audience participation. She can adapt her show to any type of event and audience. Having performed all over the world from Comedy Clubs to the most prestigious corporate event. The USM are delighted she is headlining the night.

Price is £20.00 (Seriously you don't need to go put your glasses on) Yes the dinner this year is just £20.00 for food and the show. The USM are trying to keep the prices low due to the convention coming up in May, so please show your support by attending the night and also getting family members to come along also.

Those interested in attending should contact George Bleeks by e-mail here.