The very first Melbourne Magic Night was a huge success with over 60 guests in attendance for the main event!
Starting off with the AIM Juniors meeting in the theatre at 5.30pm we saw Lee Cohen taking them through their paces including stagecraft and routine development. Gali Novak rehearsed her act for later in the evening and Tam You, Peter Cook, Michael Sullivan, and Tim Ellis also offered feedback.
Nick Kesidis, Peter Cook and Tim Ellis performed close up magic for guests enjoying a meal at Wesley Anne, and we made the exciting discovery that ALL MEALS ARE 2 for 1 BEFORE 6pm! So get there early next month!
At 7.15pm guests started moving in to the theatre and grabbing the best seats, with almost a dozen signing up for Associate Membership (meaning they can come free all year after paying $40).
The main event began with host Tim Ellis welcoming everybody then performing the new MUSIC BOX routine he is developing. This was followed by his ‘Raise Me Up’ LINKING RINGS routine as another example of ways to add emotion to your presentations.
Nick Kesidis was up next demonstrating two routines with cards and coins that were his mainstays for close up magic. He then offered to share them with those seriously wanting to learn at the end of the night.
Anthony DeMasi was next with a panoply of prestidigitation in his own inimitable style; including a $140 bouquet of feather flowers, and a new TOSSED OUT DECK routine.
For a change of pace, Nicholas J Johnson read a preview of his new book ‘CHASING THE ACE’ and shared some funny ‘behind the scenes’ stories of it’s development. This will be released with an amazing book launch on June 28.
Lee Cohen demonstrated a very effective, but easy to perform rope trick, which she offered to teach at the end of the night, then introduced her student Gali Novak who performed two pieces: a stage routine from last year’s Australian Junior Championship of Magic, and a new close up piece she is developing.
Michael Sullivan gave a presentation on the seemingly endless possibilities that exist for magicians with a 3D printer. Michael has printed his own thimbles, chop cups, multiplying balls and even a thread reel!
Peter Cook followed and, due to the dressing room only being lit by a motion sensor light (?!), he had to abandon the routine he had planned to present and performed a jumbo card routine STAN, KATE & EDITH.
Enzo Ficco followed, out of the guise of Al Cappuccino, and demostrated a number of stage manipulation techniques in a slick routine. Again, Enzo generously offered to share his methods with those seriously interested after the show.
Finally, it was time for MAGICSPORTS, and Tim Ellis repeated his Linking Ring routine re-choreographed on the spot to music anyone was willing to offer. As it turned out, it was ‘Circle of Life’ from The Lion King and it proved to be an extremely entertaining choice.
Very few people left as most, including comedian (and fine amateur magician) Russell Gilbert, stayed on and sessioned until after 11pm. It was universally acknowledged as a great night and people said they cannot wait to come back for the next one on March 11.
See you then!!