The 26th Annual World Magic Seminar has just announced its lineup for the Jan. 12-15, 2003 event in Las Vegas. This year's convention will honor Al Cohen and feature A Card workshop with Lennart Green, A Hold-Out lecture by Bob Kohler and a "no holds" roast of the Amazing Jonathan by Johnny Thomspon, Billy McComb, Mike Caveney, Kerry Pollack, Jon Stetson, Psychic Tanya and hosted by Glenn Farrington. Close-up performers include: Bob Kohler, Oscar Munoz, Eric DeCamps, Shawn Farquar, Etienne Pradier, Francis Manotti, and Mark Mason. Stage shows will feature Kalin & Ginger, Jon Stetson, Tabary, Bravo Nakaya, Torkova, Puck and several surprises. As usual the highlight of the convention will be the world-class stage competition with the Siegfried & Roy Sarmoti award going to the winner. Lance Burton and Jeff McBride will conduct the teen events and workshops. For more information click: HERE.(11/11)

René Lavand's visit to the US and his stay in New Jersey with Joe Hernandez is reported in a Hillsborough Beacon article. The article describes part of his famed Bread Crumbs routine and points out that "…the illusion isn't the point for Mr. Lavand -- it's the story, the rich and intricate philosophy that he weaves through the tale. That is why he has been a favorite among the world's magicians for decades and why he was sought out by Muhlenberg University as a speaker for the school's Philosophy Department." The writer also observed that "But each sleight of hand, each illusion, each demonstration is accompanied by Mr. Lavand's carefully phrased words that add to the joy of his work." To read the Oct. 31 article by John Patten titled "Local magicians enjoyvisit from 'El Maestro'" click: HERE.(11/11)

R. Paul Wilson, Andy Nyman, Tom Ogden, Mystina, John Shryock & Mari, David Goldrake, and Nancy Jane Gray appear at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles on Nov. 11-17.(11/11)

Michael Chaut, Chris McDaniel, Jamy Ian Swiss, Carl Mercurio, Todd Robbins and Andy Roberts headline at Monday Night Magic on Nov. 11 at 8pm in NYC. For tickets phone Ticketmaster at: 212-307-4100. For more information click: HERE.(11/11)

Magician Tom Rozoff's collection of monster and horror memorabilia is featured in The Cincinnati Enquirer. To read the Nov. 10 article by Marsie Hall Newbold titled "Magician's monsters lurk in his 'dungeon'" click: HERE.(11/11)

NEW JERSEY: Marc DeSouza lectures on Wednesday Nov. 13 at 8pm for JMMRT at the V.F.W. Hall (20 Pennsylvania Ave., two blocks from the NJ Transit -- Linden train station) in Linden. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. For more information click: HERE.(11/11)

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MASSACHUSETTS: Mark Wilson, Fr. Cyprian, David Haversat, Phil Schwartz, Gabe Fajuri, Carles Pecor, Ray Ricard, and Peter Lane are the guest presenters at the "Yankee Gathering IX" in Worcester on Nov. 14-16. The bi-annual event organized by the New England Magic Collectors Association will honor Dr. Morris & Chesley Young "in recognition of their outstanding contributions to magic, magic collecting, and conjuring history. Around 200 registrants will attend the by-invitation only event that will be a celebration of magic's rich history and will feature lectures, performers, dealers, exhibits, banquet, flea market and an auction. If you are not registered and would like to go you might be accommodated by reaching Ed Hill, in advance, at the convention hotel. For More information click: HERE.(11/12)

Ricky Jay's new book "Dice: Deception, Fate and Rotten Luck" is the subject of a CNN story where Jay is described as, "an expert close-up magician, one of the finest sleight-of-hand artists in the world and a collector of many, many things." The article discusses how the book came about a talk Jay gave in New York City on Monday and where the decaying dice will end up, "The frail, decaying pieces… may find a home elsewhere in Los Angeles, at the wonderfully named Museum of Jurassic Technology, a home for relics and curiosities of all kinds." To read the Nov. 11 article by Todd Leopold titled "A game of chance invented by God" click: HERE.(11/12)
--To buy the book click: HERE.

Levent performs at The Comedy Stop in The Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ on Nov. 11-17. Tickets range from $17-$20 per person and are available by phoning: 800-526-2935.(11/12)

Eugene Burger appears at "The Theory and Art of Magic, Series II" in Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania. On Nov. 14 at 7:30pm he presents "The Secret of Magic:  A Lecture-Demonstration" at the Miller Forum. Burger will also present a lecture for magicians only on Nov. 15, at 7pm at The Hoffman House (325 N. 23rd Street). Tickets and information are available from the college box office by phoning: 484-664-3333 or clicking: HERE.(11/12)

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Magical Nights Inc., the producers of New York City's long running Monday Night Magic, have now cast their spell upon other nights and other locales in Gotham with the opening of two new offerings. "Magic: Close Up in Concert" is currently playing Wednesday evenings at the posh Rainbow Room located high atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Jamy Ian Swiss stars through the end of November with his sophisticated sleight of hand. "Side Show Saturday Night" at the Soho Playhouse features the inimitable Todd Robbins, a virtual one-man ten in one show. ...Go to full story.(11/13)

We understand that David Blaine's new book "Mysterious Stranger" is scheduled to appear on The New York Times Best Seller list on Sunday Nov. 17.(11/13)

Mark Mysterrio who is trying to break a world record of sitting or lying on a bed of nails. A Morning Call article reported that "In the window over his head hang two signs: ''Support WAM'' and ''Fight Magic Exposure.'' WAM is the World Alliance of Magicians, a group dedicated to stopping the practice of revealing how magicians do their tricks." To read the Nov. 12 article by Tom Coombe titled "Monroe County magician tries to nail world record" click: HERE.(11/13)
----To read a similar article that ran in the Pocono Record by Susan Koomar on Nov. 7 titled "Local magician hopes to nail world record" click: HERE.(11/13)

"Fiasco" starring The Gizmo Guys, The Magic Guys and ventriloquist Lynn Trefzger appears on Sunday Nov. 17 at 2pm at the Proctor's Theatre (432 State Street) in Schenectady, NY. The show is described as a "hilarious slapstick comedy, mind-boggling magic and amazing juggling. 'Fiasco' features three incredible acts in one unbelievable family variety show." Tickets are $10-$25 per person and are available by clicking: HERE.(11/13)

The Blackstone Magic Collection which is scheduled to be auctioned on Nov. 14-24 on ebay is reported in an Auctionbytes article. To read the Nov. 12 article by Ina Steiner titled "Sothebys.com to Auction Blackstone Magician Collection" click: HERE.(11/13)

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Adam Cardone and Albert Cadabra who have been starring in their "Magical Madness" show at the Mahjoun Lounge every Thursday in New York City have just began a run at the Palace of Variety Theatre (125 west 42nd street) in New York City under the new name "Magical Madness on Times Square." The new larger show is described as "Imagine Vaudeville meets the Twilight Zone with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre thrown in for laughs." The shows will run every Sunday at 8pm with tickets costing only $10 per person. For tickets and information phone: 877-BINDLES. The original shows will continue to run at the Mahjoun Lounge on Thursdays.(11/14)

David Blaine is scheduled to appear on American Morning with Paula Zahn on Thursday Nov. 14 at 7-10am ET on CNN-TV.(11/14)

Magicians who performed during National Magic Week are in a South Florida Sun-Sentinel article that reported, "groups from the local chapter of the Society of American Magicians gave sick kids a boost at Coral Springs, Broward General and West Boca medical centers." Mentioned in the article were Keith Baldinger, Harold Greenbaum, and Phil LaBush who are members of the Sam Schwartz Assembly 274." To read the Nov. 13 article by Enma Leyva titled "Magicians visit ailing children in hospitals" click: HERE.(11/14)

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David Blaine and his new book are the subject of an Entertainment Weekly article where the writer mused that "In discussing both his professional influences and his own magic, his recurring theme is misdirection, one of the illusionist's most valuable tools. And therein lies the occupational hazard of someone whose career is built on illusion: Even as Blaine tries to present a sincere, true self, his entire personality is suspect." Bill Kalush responded to the theory, "Of course [Blaine's public persona] is a character. But we all do that in everyday life anyway. We all have different faces depending on who we're dealing with." Also quoted in the article were David Sandy, Larry "Ratso" Sloman, and Criss Angel. To read the Nov. 22 article titled "The Blaine Truth" supplied by Infoseek and YellowBrix click: HERE.(11/15)

Gay Blackstone is scheduled to appear on CNN Headline News on Friday Nov. 15 at 4:10pm promoting the upcoming auction for the Blackstone magic collection. The live spot should repeat throughout the weekend.(11/15)

We hear that Wizardz, the long running magic venue, in Universal City, California has closed on Nov. 12. No word yet on how that effects their venue in Japan.(11/15)

Joshua Walker who has wanted to become a magician since the age of 3 is featured in a Post Gazette article that described his recent fund raiser as, "The 1 1/2-hour performance was a mix of sophisticated large-scale illusions and card and mind-reading tricks, set to music and pyrotechnics and liberally sprinkled with jokes by Walker." To read the Nov. 13 article by Alisha Hipwell titled "Fund benefits from Aleppo teen's magical secrets" click: HERE.(11/15)

Ray the Magician is featured in a Cleveland Daily Banner article that quotes him about magic, "Simplicity is greatness… Making simple things magic is the secret to being a good magician." To read the Nov. 14 article by Ryan Harris titled "Local magician says 'Simplicity is greatness'" click: HERE.(11/15)

CALIFORNIA: Paul Green lectures on Monday Nov. 18 at 7pm for Magic And More at the Ramada Inn Burbank (2900 North San Fernando Blvd) in Burbank. Admission is $25 per person. For more information phone: 818-562-1921.(11/15)

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Dr. Morris N. Young (Jul 20, 1909-Nov. 13, 2002) who was scheduled to be the guest of honor at the Yankee Gathering IX in Worcester, Massachusetts this weekend died on Wednesday at the age of 93. Young was an early Houdini expert and collector who has donated parts of his massive magic collection to the Library of Congress, University of Texas, University of California and the Houdini Museum in Appleton, WI. Young also wrote many books on various subjects from memory to music. His magic books included "Presto Prestige," "Hobby Magic," and "Houdini On Magic" and "Houdini's Fabulous Magic" with Walter Gibson. Young was also one of the founders of the Magic Collector's Association and editor of "Magicol" from 1949-52. A private family funeral will be held on Nov. 18 in New York City.(11/16)

David Copperfield who is currently appearing at the Paramount Theatre this week is featured in a Seattle Times article that quotes him, "We really try to break the envelope and think beyond what people expect." To read the Nov. 15 article by Young Chang titled "Take a trip with David Copperfield" click: HERE.(11/16)

Samrat Shankar was fined for driving dangerously and for not wearing a helmet while performing a blindfold motorcycle ride in India. A Hindustan Times article questioned the fines, "Shankar wasn’t alone. For company he had bike-riding supporters, who threw a ring around him. Even some of these supporters weren't wearing helmets." To read the Nov. 15 article by Neeta Sharma titled "Magician fined for blind ride" click: HERE.(11/16)

Jon Stetson, David Oliver, Erik Rochelle, Mike Bent, Alexander, and Steve Kradolfer appear on Monday Nov. 16 at 8pm in the "Mystery Lounge" at The Comedy Studio (1236 Massachusetts Ave.) in Cambridge, MA. Admission is $10 per person. For reservations and information phone: 617-661-6507.(11/16)

Mark Mysterrio breaks world record of laying on a bed of nails. The Morning Call reported that "Mysterrio Friday morning surpassed the Guinness Book of World Records mark of 274 hours." To read the Nov. 15 article titled "Afternoon Update" click: HERE.(11/16)

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James Hamilton & Walt Anthony star in the "San Francisco Magic Parlor" every Tuesday evening through December 31at Sweetie's Cafe and Pub (475 Francisco, near Fisherman's Wharf) in San Francisco, CA. The 75-minute show will be set in a Victorian Style Magic Parlor that will hold an intimate group of around two dozen guests around small café tables. Beverages and appetizers will be served prior to the show which is described as a show of Storytelling Magic, abounding with local San Francisco anecdotes and lore." Also scheduled are special Christmas Eve and New Year Eve shows.(11/17)

David Stone appears in "The Magic Of France" on Sunday Nov. 17 at 3:30pm at the P.S. 217 Auditorium on Roosevelt Island in New York City. Admission $10 for adults and $5 for children. He also presented on a show Nov. 16.(11/17)

Mark Mysterrio who laid on a bed of nails for more than 280 hours in an attempt to break a Guinness World record is featured in a couple of news stories. To read the Nov. 16 Pocono Record article by Susan Koomar titled "Our man may have broken world record for bed of nails ordeal" click: HERE.(11/17)
--To read the Nov. 16 Morning Call article by Nancy Averett titled "Magician breaks Guinness Book of World Records for lying on nails" click: HERE.(11/17)

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