Magic conventions
Encyclopedia
Magic conventions are gatherings of professional magicians, magical hobbyists, dealers, collectors of magical apparatus, books and ephemera, and other students of the art of magic. They provide a place for lectures of subjects related to the craft, as well as a series of sample performances of noted or innovative techniques. Many conventions also hold competitions to judge who excels at a particular style, and present awards in various categories such as sleight of hand, card tricks, mentalism, stage illusions, and International Magician of the Year. The largest magic convention is The Blackpool Magician's Convention which is attended by over 3,500 magicians.
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Independently run Magic Convention Guide which was the first dedicated online guide to Magic Conventions, and still provides news and updates on conventions, as well as live coverage of some events. They also provide guides to some conventions, listing places to stay, eat, and shop.
, are the Society of American Magicians
and the International Brotherhood of Magicians
. The Home Counties Magical Society ran the 'Junior Days', a convention specifically aimed at younger magicians, now having been replaced with the event run by The Magic Circle
. The College of Magic
is a unique society in magic - offering a 6 year specialist diploma course in magic to students aged 10 and over.
Other Magic-related organizations are:
competitions is the I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence in Stage Performance. Along with other annual awards such as First place, Second place, etc., there is a possibility of this special Gold Medal award being issued if the judges decide that they have witnessed a contest performance of Gold Medal quality. As of August 2006, only eight Gold Medal awards have been made, to:
competitions is the I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence in Close-up Performance. Along with other anuual awards such as First place, Second place, third place, etc., there is a possibility of this special Gold Cups award being issued if the judges decide that they have witnessed a contest performance of Gold Cups quality. As of August 2006, only seven Gold Cups awards have been made, to:
at each competition, but need not give out either award at any given competition.
Previous winners of the Grand Prix include:
2009
2006
2003
. If a magician is or has been a genuinely notable and successful competitor in magic contests, he or she will probably have won an award, perhaps more than one, which are recognised at an international, national, or at least regional level. Examples of this are awards bestowed by FISM, IBM, SAM, The Magic Circle (London, England) and the International Magic Convention Close Up Competition, also held annually in London.
There are also organisations that randomly give out awards to famous magicians in different countries, to boast their own organisation's importance. This is a bit awkward, as it many times is difficult for the performer to know if it is a real organisation or not, and might become embarrassing for the performer, should he use such award in his marketing and someone later track its origin.
Scope
Some conventions are internationally known, and others are specific to a particular city or region, but still bring in attendees from around their particular region such as the "York Magic Festival" in York, England, which brings in performers from across the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
International
- Fellowship of Christian Magicians, annual week long convention held in Marion Indiana at Indiana Wesleyan UniversityIndiana Wesleyan UniversityIndiana Wesleyan University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Marion, Indiana that is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church denomination...
in the month of July. - The International Brotherhood of Magicians Annual Convention. Late June through Early July.
- The British Ring Annual Convention September 22 - September 25th 2011: Southport, UK
- The International Magic Convention,London (Ron MacMillan's) http://www.internationalmagic.com. [Every November, London UK - since 1972]
- The Southern England Magic Convention, [Bournemouth, England] Every January. http://www.semagicconvention.com
- The Blackpool Magic Convention, Blackpool, England. Held every February.
- FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques)
- Magic Valongo, ValongoValongoValongo is a Portuguese municipality located in the District of Porto, the city population is 18,698, and the municipality is composed of 5 parishes, of which three are cities and has a total population of 97,814 inhabitants.The two most populous cities in the Valongo municipality are Ermesinde,...
, PortugalPortugalPortugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. Held annually in September, since 1992. - World Magic Seminar February 28 - March 3, 2010: Las Vegas, NV, USA
- VISMAYAM 2008 May 1 - May 4, 2008: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, INDIA
- [SAM] Society of American MagiciansSociety of American MagiciansThe Society of American Magicians is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of...
Convention. Held annually in early July: ATLANTA June 30 - July 3, 2010; PITTSBURGH July 13-16, 2011; LAS VEGAS 2012; WASHINGTON DC 2013. - PCAMPCAMThe Pacific Coast Association of Magicians is an organization for professional, semi-professional and amateur magicians, that incorporates chapters around the entire Pacific Rim, including Japan, Hawaii, California, and western Canada. Member organizations include The Vancouver Magic Circle...
- Pacific Coast Association of Magicians. Held annually for 75 years in the Summer. - Achambha 2008 Jadu Sansthan Agra August 28-30 2008: Agra Uttar Pradeh, India
- MAGIC Live has been presented four times, once each in 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2009. Past events produced by MAGIC Magazine, with the next event being in 2011.
- The Northern Magic Circle Convention (2010 Convention to be held at the Marine Hall, Fleetwood, Lancashire) http://www.northernmagic.co.uk
- C.U.M.C.I.S - Close-up Magic Convention in Sussex (yearly magic convention in Haywards Heath in Sussex) http://www.paulgordon.net/cumcis.html
- The Saint-Vincent Casino Magical Convention (2010 Convention entried in the Guinness World Records of London)
- [The Shenanigans Magic convention held every 3rd year during the first weekend in May, in Dublin, Ireland
Regional - U.S.
- Metro-Magic, annual October convention run by Bill Wisch, Bob Solari, and Carl Bajor and located in Northeastern New Jersey
- S.E.A.M. Magic Convention, Atlanta, GA (Southeastern Association of Magicians) Hosted every summer in a different southeastern city.
- Abbott's Get TogetherAbbott's Get TogetherAbbott's Get Together is a long running convention for magicians in the United States and around the world, which is held each year in Colon, Michigan. It was founded in 1937 by Percy Abbott and his business partner, Recil Bordner. The Get Together is well-known within the magician industry as...
, an annual gathering in Colon, MichiganColon, MichiganColon is a village in St. Joseph County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,227 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Colon Township...
, founded in 1937 by Percy Abbott and Harry Blackstone, Sr.Harry Blackstone, Sr.Harry Blackstone was a famed stage magician and illusionist of the 20th century. Blackstone was born Harry Bouton in Chicago, Illinois, he began his career as a magician in his teens and was popular through World War II as a USO entertainer. He was often billed as The Great Blackstone. His son... - Midwest Magic JubileeMidwest Magic JubileeMidwest Magic Jubilee is an annual magic convention held in Missouri. Founded in 1956, by Society of American Magicians, and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, . It originally switched locations each year from St. Louis to Kansas City, though currently its permanent home is in St...
, founded in 1956 in Missouri - Magi-Fest, begun in 1931, one of the most historic and longest-running annual conventions, currently held in Columbus, OH.
- TAOMTAOMTexas Association of Magicians is an American organization which hosts magic conventions each year, in different locations around Texas each Labor Day weekend....
(Texas Association of Magicians) - Winter Carnival of Magic, Tennessee
- KIDabra International, The Association of Family and Kidshow Performers: Meets Every August
- Bob Littles Super Sunday, A One Day Convention with lots of Dealers, an Auction, a Lecture, A Social Hour, and a Show : Meets Every June and November
- FUNARAMA, A two/three day convention for magicians and clowns: Meets Every July
- Magicians Alliance of Eastern States, (M.A.E.S.) An Annual three day North Eastern US convention: Meets every August or September.
- Portland Magic Jam, An annual 3-day convention for magicians each September in Oregon.
- http://www.daytonamagic.com/pages/2010-Convention.html Florida State Magic Convention
Invitational
Some small conferences have great prestige within the industry, but are not open to the public:- FFFF - Fechter's Finger-Flicking Frolic, held on the east coast of the United States since the 1970s, and limited to fewer than 200 hand-picked attendees.
Reports and Listing
The MAGIC Magazine Convention Guide provides a comprehensive list of upcoming magic conventions and allows events to be compared to each other based on dates, price, location, number of events, etc. The site is run by MAGIC Magazine, the world's largest-selling magazine for magiciansIndependently run Magic Convention Guide which was the first dedicated online guide to Magic Conventions, and still provides news and updates on conventions, as well as live coverage of some events. They also provide guides to some conventions, listing places to stay, eat, and shop.
Magic societies
Some conventions are hosted by specific magician associations or societies. For example, the two oldest and largest magic organizations in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, are the Society of American Magicians
Society of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and to maintain and improve ethical standards in the field of...
and the International Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians is the world's largest organization for professional and amateur magicians, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St...
. The Home Counties Magical Society ran the 'Junior Days', a convention specifically aimed at younger magicians, now having been replaced with the event run by The Magic Circle
The Magic Circle
The Magic Circle is a British organisation, founded in London in 1905, dedicated to promoting and advancing the art of magic.- History :The Magic Circle was founded in 1905 after a meeting of 23 amateur and professional magicians at London's Pinoli's Restaurant...
. The College of Magic
College of Magic
The College of Magic is a non-profit organization based in Cape Town, South Africa that teaches Magic to people from various levels of society with the goal of creating social empowerment...
is a unique society in magic - offering a 6 year specialist diploma course in magic to students aged 10 and over.
Other Magic-related organizations are:
- Fellowship of Christian Magicians, with many local chapters
- College of MagicCollege of MagicThe College of Magic is a non-profit organization based in Cape Town, South Africa that teaches Magic to people from various levels of society with the goal of creating social empowerment...
- one of the largest Societies in South Africa - The Professional Magic Dealers Association
- The Magic CircleThe Magic CircleThe Magic Circle is a British organisation, founded in London in 1905, dedicated to promoting and advancing the art of magic.- History :The Magic Circle was founded in 1905 after a meeting of 23 amateur and professional magicians at London's Pinoli's Restaurant...
- The Home Counties Magical Society
- International Magicians SocietyInternational Magicians SocietyThe International Magicians Society is the world's largest magic society as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The IMS began in 1968 and now has over 37,000 members worldwide...
- Pacific Coast Association of Magicians
- Shore City Magicians ClubShore City Magicians ClubThe Shore City Magicians Club Inc is a magic club based in Auckland, New Zealand. Its members range from beginners through to full time professional entertainers...
, Auckland, New Zealand - Magic Academy, India
- Magic Academy and Magic Club, India
- Paul Gordon's Card Capers Day of Card Magic
- Listing of all 130 Magic Clubs & Societies in The United Kingdom
- http://kilmarnock-magic-circle.co.uk/
Gold Medal - I.B.M.
The most prestigious "stage magic" award in the International Brotherhood of MagiciansInternational Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians is the world's largest organization for professional and amateur magicians, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St...
competitions is the I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence in Stage Performance. Along with other annual awards such as First place, Second place, etc., there is a possibility of this special Gold Medal award being issued if the judges decide that they have witnessed a contest performance of Gold Medal quality. As of August 2006, only eight Gold Medal awards have been made, to:
- Lance BurtonLance BurtonLance Burton is a stage illusionist. He has appeared on numerous television programs, and also performed for Queen Elizabeth and President Ronald Reagan...
, 1980 - Howard Hale. 1985
- James Cielen, 1988
- Fanny Tjin (Jade), 1990
- Greg FrewinGreg FrewinGreg Frewin is an illusionist and "World Champion of Magic". His awards include First Place at the International Brotherhood of Magicians ; The Gold Medal of Excellence, also from the IBM; First Place at the Society of American Magicians' annual magic convention competition; and first place at...
, 1993 - George Saterial, 1999
- Keiko MutoKeiko MutoKeiko Muto is a Japanese sprint canoer who competed in the early to mid 1990s. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, she was eliminated in the semifinals of the K-2 500 m event. Four years later in Atlanta, Muto was eliminated in the semifinals of the K-4 500 m event.-References:*...
, 2002 - Arthur Trace, 2005
Gold Cups - I.B.M.
The most prestigious "close-up" award in the International Brotherhood of MagiciansInternational Brotherhood of Magicians
International Brotherhood of Magicians is the world's largest organization for professional and amateur magicians, with approximately 15,000 members worldwide. The headquarters is in St...
competitions is the I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence in Close-up Performance. Along with other anuual awards such as First place, Second place, third place, etc., there is a possibility of this special Gold Cups award being issued if the judges decide that they have witnessed a contest performance of Gold Cups quality. As of August 2006, only seven Gold Cups awards have been made, to:
- David Williamson, 1981
- Johnny Ace PalmerJohnny Ace PalmerJohnny Ace Palmer is an award-winning American close-up magician. He is famous within the worldwide magical community for his prodigious sleight-of-hand abilities.-Early life:...
. 1983 - Joe Givan, 1987
- Giovanni Livera, 1991
- Steve Bedwell (magician), 1994
- Oscar MunozOscar MunozOscar Munoz is an American magician, 1999 winner of the "Gold Cups" award from the International Brotherhood of Magicians organization. He is also a charter member and past head of "Ring 269" in Texas.-Awards:* 1999, IBM "Gold Cups" winner...
, 1999 - Chase Curtis, 2003
Magic Castle
Each year the Hollywood-based Magic Castle club gives out awards at a black-tie dinner.Grand Prix - FISM
The most prestigious award given out at FISM is the Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is generally considered to be the most prestigious competition award in the industry. FISM is held once every three years and may award the Grand Prix to the best stage magician and best close-up magicianMicromagic
Micromagic or close-up magic or table magic is magic performed in an intimate setting usually no more than ten feet from one's audience and is usually performed while sitting at a table....
at each competition, but need not give out either award at any given competition.
Previous winners of the Grand Prix include:
2009
- Stage: Soma (HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
) - Close-up: Shawn FarquharShawn FarquharShawn Farquhar of Coquitlam, British Columbia is a magician who holds the current title "Grand Prix World Champion of Magic" from the International Federation of Magic Societies....
(CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
)
2006
- Stage: Pilou (FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) - Close-up: Rick Merrill (USA)
2003
- Stage: Norbert Ferré (FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
) - Close-up: Jason Latimer (USA)
Award duplication
Because there is little standardization in naming awards within the industry, some smaller festivals often give awards that have the same titles as the awards at larger conventions. Less scrupulous magicians will often claim that they have a prestigious award, without indicating its origin, or declare themselves an 'award-winning' act, implying a high quality of performance. Self-claims of fame and notability must therefore sometimes be taken with a grain of saltGrain of salt
a grain of salt, in modern English, is an idiom which means to view something with skepticism, or to not take it literally. It derives from the Latin phrase, grano salis....
. If a magician is or has been a genuinely notable and successful competitor in magic contests, he or she will probably have won an award, perhaps more than one, which are recognised at an international, national, or at least regional level. Examples of this are awards bestowed by FISM, IBM, SAM, The Magic Circle (London, England) and the International Magic Convention Close Up Competition, also held annually in London.
There are also organisations that randomly give out awards to famous magicians in different countries, to boast their own organisation's importance. This is a bit awkward, as it many times is difficult for the performer to know if it is a real organisation or not, and might become embarrassing for the performer, should he use such award in his marketing and someone later track its origin.
Dealer rooms
Most conventions have a "dealers room", where magical supplies are sold, along with books describing various techniques. While the public might be invited to view certain performances, you must be registered at the convention to visit the dealers room.Links to magic conventions
- FCM Convention Page, Fellowship of Christian Magicians
- MagicNewswire.com - News on the magic industry and conventions - Podcast
- Magic Convention Guide, The Magic Convention Guide, lists many world wide Magic Conventions, it also contains reviews and information regarding them.
- About.com - Magic events and conventions
- Magic Week, Magic news in the UK
- The International Magic Convention - Presented by Ron MacMillan
- Allmagic.com calendar
- Southern England Magic Convention
- The Blackpool Magic Convention