Press Release: 2014 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships teen competitors set to charm audienc

Cape Town’s charming teenage wizards are set to once again draw their wands for a prestigious title and top honours at the 2014 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships at the Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch on Sunday 31 August, 2014.

Now in its 30th year, the Championships is hosted annually by the College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation. The 2014 event forms part of the Umlingo Festival of Magical Excellence, a project funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

With 12 of the Western Cape’s most nimble fingered and captivating adolescents feverishly preparing their diverse acts and determined to win gold in either of the Championships’ Close- Up and Stage magic contests, the magical competitive spirit will be at an all time high at the enchanting Baxter Theatre!

While this ultimate battle of the wands will be judged by an expert panel of entertainment professionals, magic –loving audience members can cast their votes for their favourite busker in the Street Magic contest in the Baxter Theatre foyer.

Fans of coin magic, card tricks and balloon modeling will see these effects performed up close and then be able to vote, via ballot paper, for their 2014 Street Magic Champion.

In addition to the thrilling contests, audiences will be treated to a special guest performance by renowned U.S comedy magician, Chris Capehart. A magical icon, Capehart has been entertaining crowds with his special brand of close-up magic and ring routines for more than 35 years and is a regular performer at both the legendary Magic Castle in Hollywood, California and Monday Night Magic in New York City.

Now in its 34th year, the world-famous College of Magic has been training adults and children in the fascinating art of magic and its allied arts since 1980 and is thrilled to be hosting the 2014Western Cape Junior Magician Championships.

“These contests are a fantastic way for our students to put into practice all that they’ve been taught and is a great introduction to the world of stage competitions. We cannot wait to see the caliber of performances this year!” says David Gore, director of the College of Magic.

The Championships is supported by the NLDTF and the NAC in recognition of its contribution to excellence in the field of arts and culture. The NLDTF relies on funds generated by the National Lottery. For more information about the NLDTF and the projects it supports, please visit the National Lotteries Board website www.nlb.org.za/nldtf.asp

Tickets for the Championships are R100 and are available at Computicket (www.computicket.com or +27 (0) 861 915 8000).

For more information about the 2014 Western Cape Junior Magician Championships, Umlingo Festival of Magical Excellence, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27 (0)21 683 5480

Press release provided by Fazielah Williams obo College of Magic. Image by Sam Burrows Photography.