The Magic Newswire - Magic Week in Review - Magic Newscast - This Week in Magic

“Sleight-of-hand artists descend on Louisville as groups conjure up combined convention,” is the subtitle of an article the Louisville Courier & Journal entitled “Magic Town.” Officials from the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians are quick to point out that this just might be the largest magic convention in the world. Some are billing it as the “Magic Convention of the Century.” The gathering of 2,000 prestidigitators began yesterday and will continue through Saturday at the Galt House Hotel & Suites and other venues. ”This is the first time in modern times that the convention has been combined,” said Brad Jacobs, convention co-chair. “There’s a friendly rivalry between the two groups. Everyone tries to out-magish the other guy.”

British magic legend Paul Daniels is still working his magic as he hits the road as one of the six headlining acts in the Best of British Variety Tour that begins in August. In a profile of the conjuror from the Evening Star, Paul expresses his yearning for a revival of live theater. “You need to have a town trained by the theatre manager to think of the theatre as part of their entertainment. Theatre entertainment is far superior to television - always was - and yet people are unaware of it. I would like people to start thinking what’s on the telly; what’s on the theatre; what’s on the club all in one breath. And theatre; people say ‘Oh, I don’t know, it’s ruddy expensive’ but it’s far cheaper than going to a football match, it really is. And a football match is the same plot every week isn’t it (he describes a few on field manoeuvres)… excuse me while I go to sleep. With theatre, you never know what you’re going to get.”

In an article from KnoxNews.com, reporter Terry Morrow reports on details from the as yet unnamed Blaine special to air on ABC September 24th at 9PM. “Blaine went barebones. He didn’t take money with him on his journey. And despite other reports to the contrary, Blaine did travel with a small entourage. The source says Blaine went with a minimum film crew. His cameraperson tried to stay hidden so the action would not be focused on the TV production itself, an ABC source says.” Blaine has been  traveling from New York City to the Grand Canyon filming for the special. In the article, it is also reported that, “When Blaine visited Knoxville, he was relying on the kindness of strangers for tips. He also did not have formal overnight arrangements. The ABC source says he sometimes slept outside or in the homes of locals in the area he was visiting. He was doing magic for people as a way to earn money to get from city to city,” the source says. “He was not traveling in planes or cars. He was literally doing magic across the country to get to where he needed to go.”

Norm Clark of the Las Vegas Review Journal reports that mentalist Jason Scott died in his Las Vegas home yesterday from unknown causes. According the article, “Billups (his manager) said Scott returned from a weekend engagement in Boston complaining of stomach problems. An autopsy is planned, and funeral arrangements are pending.“

David Blaine’s road trip across the US continues and the Knoxville News has reported on a recent appearance by the magician in their fair city. According to a recent article on their site, “David Blaine surprised many by showing in Market Square and doing an impromptu show for passersby. Eyewitnesses say the edgy illusionist performed small feats - free of charge - for folks walking around Market Square. He ducked into World Grotto and the Preservation Pub, where he continued to dazzle.” The article reports that he was not accompanied by any cameras during this appearance, but :”He was accompanied by “a small entourage of magicians.” His band of merry men was also performing tricks.”

HotelChatter.com confims the upcoming Mindfreak escape stunt in a recent article on their website saying, “The plan is for him to be on about a fifth- or sixth-floor balcony, most likely chained to the outside for dramatic appeal. Then somehow he’ll free himself, make it up to the roof, and be whisked away just in time for the building to implode.”

According to the Detroit Free Press, Pick a card, any card — just not the card trick “Any Card at Any Number.” That, essentially, was Magic Magazine writer Brad Henderson’s advice, and it led Livonia magician Bill Nagler to sue in U.S. District Court in Detroit for “defamation and product disparagement” of his card trick, sold online for $99. Nagler said Henderson’s article decreased sales, prompting Nagler to seek $100,000 in damages. But Nagler’s suit did a disappearing act Wednesday when Judge Bernard Friedman dismissed the case. He ruled that the review was Henderson’s opinion, not defamation, and was thus protected by the Constitution.