The Academy of Magical Sciences India has taken a bold step by trying to insure all magician members for accident. A Manorama Online article reported that, "Academy executive director Gopinath Muthukad said on Sunday that the academy would pay the insurance premium for the magicians. Under the scheme, an insurance cover of Rs 10,000 would be provided for the magicians." To read the May 25 article titled "Free accident insurance for all magicians in India" click: HERE.(5/26)

The Nocturnal Trio (Max Maven, Tina Lenert and Eugene Burger) will be headlining at the Magic Castle on May 26-Jun. 1. Also appearing are Bill Goodwin, Bob Bolivar, Terry Lunceford, Len Reid, Jim Bentley, and Tim Hannig. Eugene Burger lectures on Sunday Jun. 1.(5/26)

Singapore magicians whose business has suffered recently due to the SARS scare are said to be improving as a Straits Times article reported, "But in the past two weeks, signs of a pick-up are beginning to emerge. At its worst, business was just 10 per cent of what it used to be, said six magicians interviewed." Magicians mentioned in the article included Edwin Goh, Alex Tan, J.C., Enrico Varella, Mr Joe Yu, Wee Kien Meng, Andy Ng, and Mr. Gician Tan. To read the May 25 article by Camilla Chiam titled "Vanishing business trick-ling back for magicians" click: HERE.(5/26)

Robert Olson performs as Mr. Bayly in Jun. 1 as part of South Hadley's 250th anniversary celebrations. A Daily Hampshire Gazette reported, "According to Olson, who has spent nearly 30 years studying and recreating magic shows from the past and also performs at Old Sturbridge Village, Mr. Bayly was an actual magician who first performed in New York City in 1767." To read the May 24 article by Kevin Royko titled "South Hadley has a show" click: HERE.(5/26)

Tom Mullica presents his Red Skelton Tribute Show at The Wichita Theatre in Wichita Falls, TX on May 26. For tickets and information phone: 940-723-9037.(5/26)

Joe Daly's show "Vapours - Daemon Codell" is described in a Sunday People article and pointed out, "Magician Joe Daly hopes his show will become Ireland's next great success story and follow Riverdance onto the world stage." The show which opens in June will feature a hanging, a decapitation, a dominatrix emerging from a tiny box, a man being sawn in half, a woman being impaled and knives being thrust into body parts." To read the May 24 article titled "Daemon Casts Spell On Stage" click: HERE.(5/26)

Satish Deshmukh is featured in a Mid Day article that quotes him, "My family was aghast, but magic has given me money, fame and satisfaction." The article also reported that, "Deshmukh is preparing for a show scheduled for June, where he plans to create an illusion of a woman getting pregnant and giving birth, while levitating. This show will be held in Mumbai, followed by another in the US." To read the May 23 article by Lina Choudhury-Mahajan titled "His magic solves crime" click: HERE.(5/26)

Ricky Jay was the featured performer at the Center Stage's "40th Anniversary Gala" which raised money for the theater. A Baltimore Sun article reported that "Center Stage got a nice birthday present for its 40th: the party set a record, raising more than $233,000." To read the May 25 article by Sloane Brown titled "Center Stage" click: HERE.(5/26)

The Florida State Magicians' Convention is featured in a News Chief article that reported, magicians not only from all over Florida, but from other states, as well as from England and Israel, arrived Friday for the three-day convention that ends today." Magicians mentioned in the article include Tim Scarbrough, Dave Madden, Rachel Wild, Tom Jones, and Rick Folmer. To read the May 25 article by William Bygrave titled "Magic in the air today at Admiral's Inn" click: HERE.(5/26)

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Kevin Reay's untimely and tragic death at the age of 45 is reported in a Northern Echo article that reported, "Mr. Reay is believed to have fallen 150ft to his death from the bridge at Crimdon Dene, County Durham, a few miles from Hartlepool." Reay was a very skilled and talented close-up magician who won many awards and was prominently featured on one of Paul Daniels' Secrets TV series. Most recently he was living in London. To read the May 24 article titled "Talented magician found dead at foot of viaduct" supplied by YellowBrix click: HERE.(5/27)
--Kevin Reay's funeral will be held on Friday May 30 at noon at St. Lukes Church (Tunstall Avenue) in Hartlepool, England.(5/28)

Lance Burton and Penn & Teller's appearance at the 38th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards as presenters is captured in Ethan Miller photographs for Reuters.
--To view the May 21 Lance Burton photo click: HERE.(5/27)
--To view the May 21 Penn & Teller photo click: HERE.(5/27)

David Groves presents Whit Haydn and Dave Cox in the "Brentwood Magic Cabaret" on Wednesday May 28 at 7:30pm at El Dorado Cantina (11777 San Vicente Blvd.) in Brentwood, California. Tableside magic will begin at 6:30pm. Admission is $10 and a 2-drink minimum per person.  For more information and reservations phone: 310-207-0150.(5/27)

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Thomas Solomon will be taping his first television special this July in London. The one-hour show will feature many of his escape sequences that will be taped indoors and on the streets of London. Current plans include escapes inside jails, police stations, S&M clubs, a morgue, and even Scotland Yard. The show will be produced by Objective Productions and will air on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom in October.(5/28)

A magic lithograph is being auctioned at Christies in London on Thursday May 29. It is lot number 211 and is titled "Tanit Ikao, The Great Woman-Indian-Fakir." The estimate is 500-700 pounds and appears to include two extra items ("The Magician and Red Goblin" and "The Magician and Rabbits"). To view the lot click: HERE.(5/28)

Joel Ward and Kristi Toguchi who have teamed up to perform as Magicanna are featured in a North County Times article in conjunction with their appearance at the Jonathan Tarr Foundation benefit on Jun. 11. The article gives their history in magic as individual acts and as a team. Ward explained, "We are really two solo performers who complement each other." To read the May 27 article by Ruth Marvin Webster titled "Cardiff performers to appear at Jonathan Tarr Foundation fund-raiser" click: HERE.(5/28)

The Northern Knights Magic Club which presented as fundraiser for the Raymond Ellis Elementary School is featured in a Daily Herald article that gave the background of the organization and described the show. Jim Stanislawski pointed out that, "The best part about doing magic is being able to provide enjoyment for people." Also mentioned in the article were Steve Jordan, Matt Cusack, and Nancy Neckerman. To read the May 26 article by Sadaf Ahmad titled "Magicians mystify students at show Abracadabra! Watch and be amazed" click: HERE.(5/28)

Nicholas Carifo, MagicWayne, and David Groves appear in "Magic In The Burbs" on Thursday May. 29 at 7:30pm at the Home Brew Coffee Company, (661 W. Arrow Hwy.) in San Dimas, California. Admission is $5 plus a one-drink minimum per person. For reservations and information phone: 909-394-1964.(5/28)

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"Lance Burton's Magic and Comedy All-Stars" featuring Johnny Thompson, Jeff McBride, Fielding West, Dana Daniels, and Tyler Linkin appears at The Lance Burton Theatre of the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas on May 30-Jun. 1 at 8pm. The three special performances will be hosted by Burton who will also perform. Tickets are $44.95-$49.95 and are available by phoning: 702-730-7160.(5/29)

Chris Adams who owns the S.S. Adams Co. in Neptune, New Jersey is featured in an Asbury Park Press article that looks at the competitive future of the almost 100-year-old company. The article reported that "…the company's best-selling products are the old standbys: the joy buzzer, the bug in the ice cube, the leaping snake." William Rauscher is quoted, "There wasn't a kid in my era in the 1940s and beyond that didn't have some S.S. Adams product." Adams explained about the popularity of the products, "It's human nature… People always need a little laugh or surprise or a way to jolt someone out of their ordinary everyday existence." To read the May 29 article titled "Neptune, N.J., Magic Shop Surviving in Age of Computer Games" supplied by Infoseek click: HERE.(5/29)
--To read the original May 29 article by Michael L. Diamond titled "They still buy joy buzzers" click: HERE.(5/30)

The Amazing Johnathan announced that he will not renew his contract at the Flamingo once it expires in December. A Las Vegas Review-Journal article reported that, "He declined to identify where he plans to take his edgy, blue-rated show, but indicated he has a deal to start in January." To read the May 28 article by Norm Clark titled "Amazing Johnathan flaming out at the Flamingo Las Vegas" click: HERE.(5/29)

A special magic show will be presented by Matt Marcy, Jason Latimer, Losander, Jeff Ezell, and Austin Brooks at the Granada Theatre (18167 Chatsworth St.) in Granada Hills, California on May 30-31. Tickets are $18.50 per person and are available by phoning: 818-363-6887. For more information click: HERE.(5/29)

Joseph Tran and Rabbi Mychal Rosenbaum who performed at UCLA's Hillel Center Tuesday night is featured in a UCLA Daily Bruin article that reported, "The crowd responded enthusiastically to the show, with acts that included disappearing playing cards and a few caged white doves turned into a large white rabbit." To read the May 28 article by Rogelio Morales titled "Magic show at Hillel leaves audience awed" click: HERE.(5/29)

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The Magicopolis in Santa Monica, California is featured in a Back Stage story that begins, "While people may not readily admit it, everyone loves magic. Whether it is the challenge of figuring out a particular trick or the need to believe in the unseen, the world of magic has long endured as one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Perhaps Albert Einstein said it best in his famous remark, often quoted by magicians: 'The most beautiful experience one can have is the mysterious.'" Steven Spill and Bozena Sparrow who founded the venue and who are currently starring in their "Escape Reality" illusion show comment on the state of magic and their current goals. Spill commented, "Sadly, there's not as much art in the craft of magic as there can be… Magic has the built-in irony of things not appearing to be what they seem. But adding in some poetry or using the magic tricks as a metaphor or a vehicle to express ourselves is closer to what our aim is." To read the May 29 article by Jenelle Riley titled "All That Abracadabra" click: HERE.(5/30)

Michael Grandinetti will present a one-hour show with some new illusions on Saturday May 31 on the main stage at the American Cancer Society's benefit at the Culver City Relay for Life event held at the West Los Angeles College in Culver City, California.(5/30)

Michael Chaut, The Great Throwdini, and John Graham headline at Monday Night Magic on Jun. 2 at 8pm in NYC. For tickets phone Ticketmaster at: 212-307-4100. For more information click: HERE.(5/30)

Amir Ghasri is featured in a California Aggie article that reported, "For Ghasri, magic is as addicting as a drug, and the addiction comes from seeing the varied responses of people who see his illusions. Reactions include people simply running away or calling him a devil. Learning new material on a daily basis feeds his hunger to avoid boredom." To read the May 29 article by Nadine Elsibai titled "Aggie Profile: Amir Ghasri" click: HERE.(5/30)

MARYLAND: Jay Sankey lectures on Saturday May. 31 at 7:30pm at Denny & Lee Magic Studio (325 South Marlyn Avenue) in Baltimore. Tickets are $15 per person and are available by phoning: 410-686-3914.(5/30)

Asi Wind performs for Fantasma Toys at FAO Schwarz (58th Street and 5th Avenue) in New York City on Saturday May 30 at 2pm and 4pm.(5/30)

NEW JERSEY: Shoot Ogawa and Apollo Robbins lecture on Monday Jun. 2 at 8pm for the IBM Ring #165 in Collingswood. Admission for non-members is $10 per person. For more information phone: 856-962-7272.(5/30)

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