FEEDBACK FROM BLACKPOOL MAGIC CONVENTION

But first, let me start with what I don’t like in Blackpool.

– Blackpool city itself. This is probably one of the most unattractive cities I have ever visited in the UK. Let’s be more precise : Blackpool in February, hit by strong winds, and without any touristic activities at all, is not a pleasant place to go. I understood that Blackpool is a great spot during summer time and I can totally imagine it as there are tons of amusement parks and a lovely seaside walk, but in February it really looks like a ghost town. According to Wikipedia, in 2016 Blackpool was having the fourth highest murder rate in the UK and rates of violent crime and domestic violence exceed national averages. Blackpool also struggles with heroin as, according to The Guardian : “The Lancashire seaside resorts tops that list and has recorded the highest rate of deaths involving heroin or morphine of any other council district since 2010. There were 14 heroin misuse deaths per 100.000 people in 2016, compared with the national average of 1.7 in England and 2.3 in Wales. That is almost twice as high as the borough with the next highest rate – Burnley, with 7.6 per 100.000. ”

– Blackpool hotels. I may be unlucky but all the hotels I have been to each time I went to the BMC convention were really bad. And as far as I know, talking with other conventioneers, I was not the only one.

But does all this will prevent you from having fun ??? Of course not ! Because it is not important at all when all you are looking for is good time, incredible magic and nice friends ! And on this, you will not be disappointed :

150 dealers from all over the world ! I could have spent many more days, not to say many more weeks, strolling through the alleys and watching them demonstrate their latest products …

You will find everything you need, everything you did not know you needed, and everything else ! From stage apparatus to collectible posters, from electronic device to impossible-to-find old books, the first magic trick in Blackpool is probably the shrinking wallet !

35 lectures. You are sure to find at least a couple of lectures that will be of some interest for you, whatever your magic is. I personnaly loved the Jay Sankey, Gaetan Bloom, Patrick Kun and Takumi Takahashi lectures. Other lecturers were: Michael Ammar, Max Maven, MArcelo Insua, Richard Wiseman, Rafael, Mac King or Henry Evans, to name a few.

3 outstanding gala shows. Lance Burtons & Friends, Arturo Brachetti Solo and the International Gala Show were the main events.

You will find everything you need, everything you did not know you needed, and everything else ! From stage apparatus to collectible posters, from electronic device to impossible-to-find old books, the first magic trick in Blackpool is probably the shrinking wallet !

But on top of that there were one man shows by Rafael (hilarious!), Max Maven, Max Fulham or the Evansons.

You will litteraly laugh, fear, and cry. I laughed so hard during Mike Goudeau’s incredibly funny juggling performance that my abs hurt, and the next day I was shedding tears during the moving Wayne Dobson’s performance (I checked: my neighbour cried too, and I am sure we were not the only ones!)

All the acts are highly polished and perfectly executed by top class performers. We not only saw magic but also escape artists (a guy from Norway was able to hold his breath for more than 6 minutes …), jugglers, ventriloquists and contortionists.

My favourite was definitely the Arturo Brachetti incredible Solo show. He is a true genious of quick-change and he got well-deserved standing ovations. Bravo Maestro !

So : THANK YOU dear Blackpool Magician Club for putting together such a great convention ! You did an amazing job.

I also express my gratitude to Daniel Eden, professional photographer who would let me use the pictures he took at the Convention for this very article. Daniel is a Manchester photographer who takes incredible shots and I encourage you to take a look at his website : Eden Photography if you want to know more about him and his approach to photography.