I.B.M. British Ring 68th Annual Convention

The 68th Annual Convention of I.B.M. British Ring No.25 takes place 22nd–26th September 2004 at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, with further events at the Floral Hall, the Gold Room, the Congress Suite, the Tennis Centre and the Devonshire Park Theatre. The week brings together international performers for Star Lectures, the Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, Hospital and Special Venue Shows, the Ladies’ Afternoon, the Convention Banquet, the International Close-Up Gala and International Magic — the Gala Show.

President Cynthia Neptune, the first Lady President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, looks forward to welcoming conventioneers to Eastbourne, with a special welcome to first-time attendees and overseas visitors, in the presence of The Worshipful The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Mrs Barbara Goodall, and the International President of the I.B.M., Tony Wilson — the first ever I.B.M. President from south of the equator — attending with his wife. The week's events follow under difficult circumstances, after the sudden death of the Convention's long-serving Secretary, Tony Shelley, and the Officers and Committee dedicate the Convention to his memory. Registration opens on Wednesday evening in the Floral Hall, followed by the Dealers' Exhibition. The programme proper opens on Thursday with the Official Opening of the 68th Annual Convention by President Cynthia Neptune, followed immediately by the Eastbourne Extravaganza, in which Clive Moore introduces Michael Pearse, Paul Dabek, Fred Corvenio and Tensai, at the keyboard Dave Cass. The Dealers' Magical Trade Fair, arranged by Richard Stupple in the Exhibition Hall adjacent to the Winter Garden, runs from Wednesday evening through to Sunday afternoon. Thursday afternoon brings the Ladies' Afternoon in the Gold Room, with tea followed by Rosemary Hawthorne on 'A Brief History of Unmentionables', and Hospital and Special Venue Shows arranged by Derek McFaull, taking magic out to local schools, care homes and the Royal Alfred Sailors' Home, supported by the Giggle of I.B.M. Clowns under S.T.R.E.A.K.Y. (Reg Allen), with the Presidential car provided by Brian Miller. Thursday evening brings the Jeffery Atkins Memorial Lecture, in which Cynthia Neptune introduces Gay Blackstone on 'Blackstone — an American Magical Heritage', followed by the Welcome to Overseas Visitors and the Civic Reception Ball & Cabaret, hosted by the Mayor together with the President and the International President, with dancing to the Jim Shelley 'Frisco Jazz Band' and cabaret from Mel Mellers and Visage, introduced by John Palfreyman. Friday opens with the Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers, followed by Star Lectures from Terry Herbert introducing John Styles ('My Magic Life') and Tom Owen introducing Paul Gordon ('About Professional Strolling Card Magic'), the Competition for the British Ring Shield Awards, the Convention Banquet in the Gold Room, and The Late, Late Gala, in which Peter Greenwood introduces Richard Pinner, Hikari Furuyama, Wayne Dobson, Housch ma Housch and Zane. Saturday brings the International Close-Up Gala in the Tennis Centre, organised by Mike Gancia, with Rich Bloch, Eugene Burger, Wladimir, Hayashi, Paul Wilson and Marc Paul, Children's Showtime at the Devonshire Park Theatre, produced by Terry Herbert, Eddie Dawes' 'More History of Mystery' Collectors' Seminar, the Close-Up Competition for the Zina Bennett Trophy, arranged by Bryan Atherton, a Star Lecture from Richard Stupple introducing Pat Fallon on 'Children's Magic in the Real World', and the evening's International Magic Gala Show, compered by Rich Bloch, with Wladimir, Mac Ronay Jnr, Mortimer and Lu Chen in the first half, and Kenji Minemura, Max Maven and Martyn James in the second. The Convention closes on Sunday with the Convention Service conducted by Padre Derek McFaull, a Star Lecture from Trevor Lewis introducing Eugene Burger, the Junior Workshop with Mandy Davis and the Young Magicians' Club, the Grand Auction in aid of the Benevolent and Welfare Funds with Auctioneer Alan Driffield, and a Star Lecture from Mike Gancia introducing Max Maven ('A Few Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon'), before the Presentation of Awards and the Installation of incoming President Don Beattie, followed by Eddie Dawes' The Bell Ringers, featuring Peter Scarlett, Robert Temple, Chris Pratt and Scott Penrose, and Van Buren & Company with Magic, Mystery and Illusion. Organising Secretary: John Pye.