John Carney lecturing in the UK

Hi everyone

Those that know me really well will probably know that I am a big fan of the work of American magician John Carney. Now, for those of you not interested in magic, he is an multi award-winning magician who is regarded as one of the best in most forms of magic, whether it be Close Up, Parlour or Stage.

For those of you that are interested in magic, Carney is one of the ones that really makes me think about my magic - not just the "how" but the "why" as well. His 2 hard-backed books - "Carneycopia" written by Stephen Minch and his self-penned "The Book of Secrets" - should, in my opinion, be in the libraries of everyone and anyone who calls themself a magician.

Why am I telling you this? Well, Mr Carney is coming back to these shores to present his highly acclaimed lecture. The lecture, which lasts a full 2 hours, covers Close Up and Stage magic using cards, coins, cigars and other everyday objects. Here are the details:-

Edinburgh
Wednesday 4 June at 7:30pm

Costa Coffee
1 Hanover Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2DL

Click for a map to Costa Coffee

From Waverley Station, walk west along Princes Street, turn right onto Hanover Street, and enter via the Costa entrance

£15 at the door – No advance tickets

Glasgow
Friday 6 June at 7:30pm

Scottish Mask and Puppet Center
8-10 Balcarres Avenue
Kelvindale
Glasgow
G12 OQF
0141 339 6185

Click for a map to Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre

£15 at the door – No advance tickets

Newcastle
Sunday 8 June at 7:30pm

Ouseburn Farm
Ouseburn Road (off Lime Street)
Ouseburn
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 2PA

By road from New Bridge Street down Crawhall road, then Stepney Bank. From Byker Bank go along Lime Street. From City Road go onto Byker bank then Lime Street. On street parking and car parks available in the surrounding area.

£15 at the door – No advance tickets

Watford
Wednesday 11 June at 7:30pm

18th Bushey and Oxhey Scout Hut
Little Bushey Lane
Bushey
Herts
WD23 4JS

Click here for a map to Little Bushey Lane

£15 at the door – No advance tickets

You can see footage of him performing on Carney's YouTube Channel but as a wee taster of what you can expect, here is Mr Carney performing his handling of the Coins And The Champagne Glass called "Silver And Glass" from his DVD "The Video Of Secrets"

I'll definately be at the Glasgow lecture, so I'll see you there. If you can't make the Glasgow one, I highly recommend that you try to get to one as close to you as possible.

Happy learning!

Speak soon

The Cardman :-)

Irish IBM Ring 85 Convention - 2nd to 4th May 2008 - Dublin

Hi folks

Just a quick post to pass the word on about this year's Irish IBM Ring 85 Convention, taking place at the Plaza Hotel, Tallagh, Dublin from 2nd to 4th May.

Performers booked to lecture and/or perform at the convention include Joshua Jay, Alan Shaxon, Trevor Lewis, Quentin Reynolds, Max Marshall and many, many more. Registration for the whole weekend is €95 (around £75 at the current exchange rates) and is worth every cent! That price includes access to all lectures, shows and the banquet. You can get more details by downloading the Convention Flyer (in PDF format) here.

If you've never been to an Irish Convention, take the chance. It is always a great weekend and is probably the most laid-back Conventions you'll ever go to - imagine the polar opposite of the craziness of Blackpool and that's what the Irish Conventions are like!

I'll maybe see some of you guys there next weekend.

Speak soon

The Cardman :-)