| VOLUME: 29 / ISSUE: 854 / Monday – May 1, 2000 |
 A new novel by Paul Quarrington titled The Spirit Cabinet is reviewed in the New York Times. What makes this novel interesting is that the two main characters are German born Jurgen and Rudolfo, an animal trainer/body builder and a magician who move to Las Vegas to become stars with their own illusion show — sound familiar? The book has references to Houdini, the Davenport Spirit Cabinet, and other magic terms and theories. The verdict: “The Spirit Cabinet falls short of wonderful, but Paul Quarrington knows some neat tricks.” To read the Apr. 30 book review by Jennifer Schuessler click: HERE.–To purchase the book from Amazon for only $16.80 click: HERE.(5/1) The 2nd Street Performing Contest takes place at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie-ken, Japan on May 3-4. For more information click: HERE.(5/1) Paul Daniels ends his farewell theatrical tour throughout England this month with shows at the Charnwood Theatre in Loughborough (May 2), Princess Theatre in Hunstanton (5), Theatre Royal in Lincoln (7), Princess Theatre in Torquay (11), Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham (14), Wyvern Theatre in Swindon (16), Octagon Theatre in Yeovil (17), and the Playhouse Theatre in Weston super Mare (19).(5/1) The Wilsons, Rafael Benatar, Manuel Muerte, Alfonso, Bob Busch, Chris Mitchell, Dan Jordan appearing at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, on May 1-7. Rafael Benatar lectures on Sunday May 7.(5/1) EASTERN US, CANADA: Carl Andrews will be presenting his new “Making A Living Performing Close-Up Magic” lecture throughout the east coast in the next couple of months. You can catch him in Springfield, MA (May 2), Hartford, CT (3), Toronto, Canada (4), Ft. Wayne, IN (9), and Atlanta GA (16). For more information you can e-mail him at: carl@maui.net.(5/1) PRESS RELEASE: “STARS OF TOMORROW” SHOW. |
| VOLUME: 29 / ISSUE: 855 / Tuesday – May 2, 2000 |
 Viking Magic and Collectors’ Workshop MergerViking Mfg. Co. owned and operated by George and Carol Robinson in McAllen, Texas since 1972 is merging with Collectors’ Workshop which is owned and operated by Rich Bloch and Nick Ruggiero in Middleburg, Virginia. Both companies have a worldwide reputation for manufacturing some of the finest and best constructed magic equipment of our time. Their combined efforts should only increase the quality and availability of these products. …Go to full story: HERE.(5/2) NEW JERSEY: Jean Merlin lectures on Wednesday May. 3 at 8pm for JMMRT at the V.F.W. (Pennsylvania Railroad Ave., two blocks from the NJ Transit – Linden train station) in Linden. For more information phone Al Hillman at: 732-257-3456. Cost to non-members is $12.(5/2) |
| VOLUME: 29 / ISSUE: 856 / Wednesday – May 3, 2000 |
| Lance Burton who opens at the 5,000-seat Tokyo International Forum Hall today through Friday said, “This is one of our most ambitious undertakings ever.” To read the May 2 story which ran in the Las Vegas Sun click: HERE.(5/3) OHIO: The 9th Annual International Battle of Magicians takes place on May 4-6 at the Sheraton Inn Belden Village in Canton. This year’s featured performers are: Norm Nielsen, Barry Govan, Rick Fisher, Igor, Tim & Robin Balster, Michael P. Lair, John Ferrentino, David Costi, Michael Clavello, Steve Walker, Hank Moorehouse, and Troy Hoosier. This convention always features zany antics and events in addition to great talent. For more information phone Tim at: 330-494-2623 or Larry at: 330-830-2206.(5/3) |
| VOLUME: 29 / ISSUE: 857 / Thursday – May 4, 2000 |
| David Copperfield: The Great Escapes which aired on Apr. 26 at 8pm on CBS was rated by the Nielsen Ratings at number 67 for the week of Apr. 24-30 with a rating of 5.3. Each rating point equals 1,008,000 households giving the show an estimated audience of 5.3 – 5.4 million households.(5/4) Le Grand David’s Anthology of Stage Magic will appear on Saturday May. 6 at 2pm at the Larcom Theatre (13 Wallis Street) in Beverly, MA. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. For more information and tickets phone: 978-927-3677.(5/4) A Clark County District Court lawsuit between Houdini’s Magic Shop, Inc., Timothy Wojewoda, Arthur Ingoldsby, Michael Little, and Maynard’s Magic Shops is reported in the Las Vegas Sun. To read the Apr. 21 article by Grace Leong click: HERE.(5/4) PENNSYLVANIA: The East Coast Magic Spectacular XII takes place at the Excelsior Scottish Rite Temple in Collingswood on May 6-7. Performers include Paul Cummings, Eric Buss, Jean Merlin, Junge Junge, Shigeo Futagawa, Loren Christopher Michaels, Dan Garrett, John Bundy & Morgan, Anthony Brahams, The Gamesters and many others. Registration is $75 per person. For more information phone: 215-364-8132 or click: HERE.(5/4) |
| VOLUME: 29 / ISSUE: 858 / Friday – May 5, 2000 |
 The Swann Auction Galleries in New York City has announced that they will be holding their annual magic auction on Thursday October 26. They plan to auction magic books, posters, ephemera, periodicals, and apparatus. They are currently accepting consignments so, “If you have quality items you wish to consign please contact: Gary Garland at 212-254-4710 or e-mail: ggarland@swanngalleries.com.” The deadline for consignments is June 30. These Swann auctions have traditionally been attended by some of the leading magicians and collectors from around the world.(5/5)Ricky Jay will be interviewed by Mark Singer on Saturday May 6 at 1pm at the Celebrity Room at the Friars Club (57 East 55th Street) in New York City. The title of the talk is “The Sleight-Of-Hand Virtuoso” and is part of the New Yorker Festival celebrating the magazines 75th anniversary. Although the event is sold out, as of last night Ticketmaster who is handling the ticket sales was still advertising seats. For more information click: HERE.(5/5) NEW YORK: The Parent Assembly of the SAM will hold its annual banquet on Saturday May 6 at 7pm at The Armory (Park Avenue and 67th Street) in NYC. The evening which costs $35 per person will feature a magic contest, dinner, bar, dancing, and performances by local magicians. For more information phone: Seymour Hittner at 718-279-1705 or Mike Bornstein at212-581-8536.(5/5) |
| VOLUME: 29 / ISSUE: 859 / Saturday – May 6, 2000 |
| Lance Burton got engaged, to his girlfriend of many years, Kim Barranco last Saturday before heading off to Japan. Ms. Barranco is a headliner in Splash at The Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.(5/6) Rogers’ Cable in Canada is donating $3.5 million dollars to support of 75 new Canadian documentaries. One of the documentaries selected was Lynn Booth’s Mandrake The Magician which will be made by Make Believe Media Inc. in Vancouver, BC. To read the May 5 company press release click: HERE.(5/6) Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company performs every Sunday in May at 3pm (except May 21) at the Cabot St. Cinema Theatre in Beverly, MA. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 12. For more information and tickets phone: 978-927-3677.(5/6) |
| VOLUME: 29 / ISSUE: 860 / Sunday – May 7, 2000 |
| The International Battle of Magicians is featured in the Akron Beacon Journal. Around 300 magicians attended this year and the article centered around the magicians attending as opposed to the performers. Joan Caesar describes the convention as, “It’s different here than at other conventions, because it is laid-back, and it’s crazier.” Magicians mentioned in the article are Robert Stephens, Paul Hoff, Meyer Papermaster, and Larry Durian. To read the May 6 article “Trickery abounds at convention” by Andale Gross click: HERE.(5/7) Devlin, Aye Jaye, Torkova, Simon Lovell, Jamy Ian Swiss, Michael Chaut, Alba, and R.J. Lewis appear at Monday Night Magic on May 8 at 8pm in NYC. For tickets call Ticketmaster at: 212-307-4100.(5/7) PRESS RELEASE: JEFF MCBRIDE TO PERFORM IN SALEM, MA MAY 20, 2000. |
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