|
Protection Spells
Powerful Spells
The Stevie B Page
Happy New Year Wizards!<p> I trust you all had a great Christmas. I hope I did as well as I’m writing this in December! Did you like the show that was arranged by Ivan? Stephen Hord has submitted a report for the benefit of those unable to be there. I though it was a great show with a good deal of variety. My thoughts? Well I think Steve’s holding back Deanna! I noticed constantly he had to keep consulting her for what he had to do next. I don’t think he smiled at the audience as much either! It was nice seeing new member Gary Brook taking part and doing very... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-252.html'>More Reading...</a>
Presidential
Christmas has come and gone, not that Angela and I have had time to notice! We eventually moved house on the 14th December and are still sorting things out. At one time we doubted whether we would ever get to exchange contracts, and after completion our conveyancer told us that it was the worst house sale she had ever experienced. <p> On the magic scene, we attended two Christmas parties. The first at Manchester circle of magicians where we were treated to a first class buffet and the following acts: Arthur Casson - easy style singing Brian Sefton - manipulation and dove act. The evening... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-251.html'>More Reading...</a>
Librarians Page
Well here we are – 2008 and I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. <p> I hope that you all had a really good Christmas, lots of bookings and parties both as guest and entertainer. Hopefully you all got lots of magical items as presents that you will bring to the meetings to show other members. I suffered at the hands of the Post Office over Christmas. I ordered a trick from JB Magic in Blackpool on the 14th December and up to now, (its Boxing Day as I write this), it still hasn’t arrived. Still I suppose that I am in good company according to the news. It’s... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-250.html'>More Reading...</a>
Tony Rix Lecture
On arriving at the hall, I was approached by Stevie B thrusting a notebook into my hands. He thanked me for volunteering to do this report. No probs Stevie, you can rely on me! <p> Well, all the reports I've done so far have not been too difficult with plenty of magic, easy to remember. Unfortunately for me, Tony's lecture wasn't so much magic but comedy. The problem with that is, I was laughing for most of the lecture and forgot to take notes. However, I will try and give you the basics of how the evening went. </p><p> Up first was Colin, and it was evident... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-249.html'>More Reading...</a>
The Stevie B Page
Hello Wizards,<p> Hope you liked the last meeting. I thought it was wonderful, a walk back through memory lane at one point as we watched a highlight from Tony’s spot on our Hey Presto Show back in 1998 at our 50th anniversary one-day convention. Just that brief snippet of a super day brought back many memories. I remember it was a very successful day with plenty to see and do and lots going on. The day had in it two lectures, a stage competition (The North of England Tournament of Magic) a juggling workshop and an all day balloon share-shop along with a puzzle the likes of which... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-248.html'>More Reading...</a>
Presidential
Once again Christmas is upon us and it is said for many people to be one of the most stressful of times. I think Angela and I are in that group as we are in the process of selling our house and the purchases conveyancing clerk thinks he is the building inspector, planning advisor and God, but that's life! <p> At the beginning of last month we had Tony Rix lecturing. He is one of the top comedy magicians in the country and he gave us the benefit of his experience. A very good all round lecture. </p><p> Our next night was the President's Dinner at the Bankfield Hotel,... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-247.html'>More Reading...</a>
The Magic of Memories
My memories of faux pas`, mishaps and downright annoying occurrences should prepare me for future problems. Believe me they do not. <p> A very annoying one was when Damian was on Children in Need on TV. He had been doing his bubble act for several months and we thought we ironed out the problems. </p><p> I had made him a bubble machine from an old Philips fan heater; bits of unexpanded polystyrene and an easy `get into` wooden casing. </p><p> We had gone to the auditions and the act had been accepted. The producer had said that their electricians would need to check... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-246.html'>More Reading...</a>
Letter to The Editor
Dear Keith <p> As a non member of the society, but an honoured subscriber to The Billet for some years now, may I sincerely congratulate you on your long and valuable work as the editor. Editing a magazine of this size for such a time is a magical feat on its own. </p><p> Secondly, may I respond to Mark Leveridge’s Chatter column which is always of interest. </p><p> Mark mentions Harry Stanley and his Unique Magic Studio and the wonderful lectures he brought to our country, way back in the 1960’s. Not only London, as Mark stated, bit to various... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-245.html'>More Reading...</a>
Editorial
It’s time for my 20th and final Christmas Billet, so what can I possibly write that I have not covered before in my Christmas editorials over the last 20 years. Well, perhaps there is one item that I have never previously covered in print and, whilst not exactly to do Christmas, is one question I have been asked on several occasions; and that is “Why The Billet?” Where did the name come from? <p> For those of you who were not in the Bradford Magic Circle 20 years ago, you will not realise that until I took over the editor’s role the magazine was called... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-244.html'>More Reading...</a>
The B.M.C Video Shoot
<h2 align="center">The Bradford Magic Circle needs YOU for video shoot!!</h2> Now that’s got your attention. <p> As you may know next year is the 60th anniversary of the Circle and we are holding an exhibition and demonstrations of magic at the Bradford Industrial Museum. Even Amythest are getting involved. </p><p> I have been charged with the job of producing a video which will run on the exhibit when members are not performing there. I want to film a variety of magicians through the ages. We could have a scruffy street magician conning his was... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-243.html'>More Reading...</a>
Librarians Page
Ok so this is the last Billet before Christmas and in my book that makes it the Christmas edition. So I thought we would start by making things a little lighter by giving you some trivia about magic and magicians, The sort of thing you can impress people with at magic conventions. OK here we go: <p> Harry Houdini died on Halloween in 1926 and is still the world's best known magician. This marvellous showman and escape artist took his name from the French magician Robert-Houdin. It is also not often mentioned that Houdini was an accomplished pilot and on March 16, 1919, became the... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-242.html'>More Reading...</a>
The Stevie B Page
Hello Wizards, <p> Well done to Melvyn on winning the first One-trick contest we’ve had in a long time, certainly not while I’ve been a member. It was unusual to win a one-trick event with a whole act too! Also well done to see Steve Gore for second place and to Louise Bellerby (Louisie B?) on coming third. Considering a non-magician was happy to take part, it was strange to see a few sitting back and not having a go.</p><p> For me highlights were watching young children getting traumatised by Henry “cutting” his hand open and Colin telling... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-241.html'>More Reading...</a>
Presidential
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people who entered the one trick competition and for making it a successful night. I would also like to congratulate Melvin Shalks, Steve Gore and Louise Bellerby who were voted 1st, 2nd and 3rd places by the audience. I noticed that there were three or four very competent performers who did not enter and if we arrange a similar evening next year let’s hope we achieve a 100% entry! <p> At Manchester Circle of Magicians Bruce Kalvr, a much respected American Magician, gave a lecture. Although he did say it was not a dealer... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-240.html'>More Reading...</a>
One Trick Contest
39 people turned up for our first one-trick contest. However, most of these were Gary Brook’s relatives who he had brought along to support him! Of the Bradford Magic Circle members who turned up, most took part in the evening, although it was disappointing to see that some members could not even stand up to do one trick, and perhaps even more disappointingly, many members did not turn up at all. For those who did, it turned out to be a brilliant evening, with a real smattering of excellent magic for everyone to enthuse over. And even our compere, President, Colin Gough, got some laughs... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-239.html'>More Reading...</a>
The Magic of Memories
Here I recall a very recent memory. It concerns the day I got completely “stitched up” by one whom, for the moment will be called “Oh Devious One” <p> The history so far is that my old faithful printer inconsiderately died on me. It was a debilitating experience. I rushed to a local computer fair and purchased a new state of the art machine. </p><p> After less than a week, my new friend went on strike. Flashing lights were in abundance but there was no positive action. </p><p> I put a notice on the local <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/"... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-238.html'>More Reading...</a>
Editorial
Hopefully by the time you are reading this I will have had a flood of late bookings for the dinner from our own members. However, as it stands at the time of writing this, I can only say that our own members are going to be swamped by non-members. Any ideas why this is? Last year we had a really large turn-out. This year we seem to have gone back to the normal numbers. And what it makes it even more disappointing is that the people who are coming are the usual ones. Where are the newer members? Why don’t they support the Bradford Magic Circle on this occasion. I cannot believe that it... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-237.html'>More Reading...</a>
Secretarial
As the year draws to a close, there are a few things that need mentioning as we fast approach December. The first is the December Show, which is being arranged by Ivan. This meeting, like the contest night is open to family and friends. Volunteers are always welcome whether performing or assisting. At the December meeting (which I should remind you is on the first Friday this year) you have an opportunity to save on the expenditure of posting Christmas cards to friends at the Circle. Many of us bring down our greetings cards to other members and place them on the appropriate pile and at the end... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-236.html'>More Reading...</a>
Librarians Page
Well its coming round to that time of year again and I am forced to use that dreaded word – Christmas. It’s the time of year when our diaries start to fill up with dates for parties and corporate bookings. Magic dealers are rubbing their hands together as we magicians search the websites for the one trick that will make our reputation, the one trick that people will never forget, the one trick we will be asked to perform over and over again. The dealer websites are crammed full of exciting and impossible effects that sometimes don’t quite live up to the ideal that... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-235.html'>More Reading...</a>
The Stevie B Page
Hello Wizards, <p> I trust those of you who were able to be at the September meeting enjoyed it. Not a single trick explained, just a great trip down memory lane … even for those who hadn’t been there. I think Bob would have approved. </p><p> The British Ring convention took place during September. I didn’t go this time but I’ve heard interesting comments both good & bad. One of the best bits of news was that High Jinx (Michael & Siobhan Jordan) came away with first prize at the Stage competition. As well as the £1000... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-234.html'>More Reading...</a>
Presidential
I would just like to congratulate my wife, Angela, who became a grandma on Monday 24th Sept. Her daughter Sally gave birth to an 8lb boy, both are doing well and Angela is still up in the clouds. <p> Last month I went to Huddersfield M.C. to watch a visiting club perform but due to a mix up with the booking, a confirmation had not been sent and they did not turn up. The night went well however with Maurice Roberts performing part of his childrens lecture, Graham Roe giving us a die stacking performance followed by an explanation. After the break I showed a few coin routines with explanations... <a href='http://bradfordmagiccircle.co.uk/bmc-magazine-233.html'>More Reading...</a>
|
