The weekend had four gigs booked in, but I felt like I needed to stop and take breath. After such a manic week I needed a rest but that only came on the Monday. Weekends are often a constant run as I am always chasing the clock to make sure I finish on time at one gig and get to the next on time.
All the clients were happy and I even managed to fit in a family meal in between shows on Saturday for my brother’s 40th birthday.
After Sunday’s second gig myself and Ria dashed over to King George’s Hall in Blackburn to see ‘ Mock The Week’ comedian Russell Howard http://www.russell-howard.co.uk/
He was great even though he was suffering from flu. I now know that a Giraffe can lick the back of it’s head and that wearing a ladies swimsuit the wrong way round turns you into a wrestler…
A NEW WEEK…
Into another week we go and already it has been interesting. Stacey joined me again on Tuesday for another show. It was a great audience and I nearly ended up doing an hour on stage as I got chatting. Another plus for the show was that Stacey didn’t end up with a bump on her head as she revealed had occurred the week earlier. The dangers of showbiz!!!
In the afternoon I headed over to our new clubroom for the Blackpool Magician’s club.(http://www.blackpoolmagic.com/) I only caught the afternoon slot as I had to head off to the evening gig at 7pm. But I did manage to catch a lecture by my pal Danny Hunt.
He was demonstrating how to pick locks and escape from handcuffs, strait jackets etc. It was fascinating. Danny really does take it to the extreme and after rehearsing for the Water Torture Cell Escape I know how tough it can be.
Wednesday and I headed over to see Mark Mason at JB Magic. Mark mainly operates from America now but heads back every now and then to check on the business. www.jbtv.co.uk
I have been producing the artwork for all of the new JB Magic tricks for over 2 years now and I went in to discuss the two new effects being launched for Xmas. One of which I think is great. It is called ‘Blindspot’ and is by Bob Swadling. I won’t give it away as magicians have yet to see it before the release. But it is a cool thing!!
It is really great to be able to combine two hobbies into one. Magic and graphic design. I get to see all of the cool new tricks first and play around with making the overall look of it cool and appealing. I mainly do artwork for Mark Mason but I also do bits and pieces for Wayne Dobson, Phil Jay, Chris Dugdale, Paul Roberts, Martin Gold (Comedian) and whole host of entertainment companies and shows.
Anyway back to the thread - Whilst in the JB Magic shop there was a visitor from Scotland who was bringing all of his latest electrical gadgets down to show Mark. There were remote control card shooters (fountains for magicians). Electronic lie detectors and a strange plant pot with micro cameras and transmitters built in!!! Toys for Boys!! It is a strange life we lead when all we do all day to make a buck is stick a plant pot on our head!!?
Mark trying the contraption for size!!
Thursday and I was invited down to the University of Central Lancashire for a video interview by a journalism student. I arrived at the lecture hall to find it completely blacked out apart from three high powered spotlights on a small area of a stage and a camera set up. Basically Jacelyn wanted to film some sleight of hand magic and visual effects on stage and then follow up with an interview, but it felt like an interrogation at first as all I could see were the bright lights and nothing else! The voice was coming out of the darkness beyond.
The group were really nice though and I hope I gave them an insight into the life of a magician. I didn’t know whether to feed her questions or let her do her own thing. I often have to do interviews and so I have had some of the best and the worst interviewers to compare from. I guess as it is for her Degree course I shouldn’t help her too much. I look forward seeing the finished project.
On Friday Ria and myself were invited to Laura White’s (X Factor) Homecoming Concert at the Reebok Stadium nr Bolton. Our friends were promoting the gig and so asked us down. One of the support acts was Shaun Rogerson (X Factor 2006). We know Shaun from working on ‘The Stars Of The X Factor’ show last year and I did Shaun’s Album cover. It was good to see him again. He has certainly grown up a lot since his shaky days at Sharon Osbourne’s boot camp.
http://shaunofficial.info/
Laura White came on stage at about 9pm and I have to say she was fantastic. It was obvious she has been gigging for many years already as she did a 1 hour set and really hammered it. Having seen some of the acts remaining in the X Factor competition, something went wrong with the voting somewhere as she should be in the final few.
We caught up with her after the show and she was absolutely lovely. I’m sure with all of the hype on the show it has turned some of the contestants into monsters, but Laura was truly genuine. As we were saying goodbye she kept hold of my hand to genuinely thank us for coming down and supporting her. I do hope she does well and doesnt disappear into the hoards of reality tv talent show finalists. She is talented and hopefully she will be able to showcase that.
(Gossip - she did actually suggest that Louis Walsh had asked to sign her 2 weeks before she had been kicked off the show- maybe sour grapes on his part?!!!)
Anyway back to the grind!! The phone is nonstop at the moment with Xmas coming up. I have just booked my 40th gig in for the three weeks leading up to Christmas! I think I need to go and lie down to build up my strength for the marathon of shows…
