Showzam!, the ever-popular festival of magic and amusement born and bred in Blackpool, has entered into our lives with a bang, pop and ‘Abracadabra’!
From Saturday the 15th to the 24th of February, Blackpool will be taken over by sights more weird and wonderful than usual as 2013’s programme of events promises a huge variety of events for all ages. Showzam Central is the HQ of all things circus, magic and variety. As well as performances from the Invisible Circus there are side shows such as well loved irregular regular, Pinball Geoff with his vintage and arcade games and ‘Miss O. Genie’s Dazzling Dollirama’, a wonderfully alternative coconut shy.
This is the sixth year of Showzam, an opportunity only made possible with the creativity, imagination and sheer talent of it’s organisers and the commitment of funding from the Arts Council. Anthony Preston, Arts Council England’s senior manager for regional planning, is “thrilled to be supporting Showzam! in Blackpool” and recalled fond memories of visiting the resort with family. Like many, he is anticipating this year’s festival to be the best yet.
For Professor Vanessa (Toulmin), this year is her last as curator of the festival. As she gave a tearful speech to open Showzam! she spoke of her pride of Blackpool and Showzam! as “a Lancastrian, a girl from Morecombe and a girl from the fair.” Proffessor Vanessa will continue to support the Magic festival;
It is very exciting to bring this kind of event to the town, but it’s even more exciting for us to showcase productions and artists that originate in Blackpool. The main ingredients for Showzam! are something old, something new and something a little bit naughty.
The altblackpool team will be following the festival with photos, interviews and reviews throughout the week. Follow our reports on Twitter and our Facebook page and send us your own images and thoughts on what’s guaranteed to be a week of surprises and amusement across the town.
Photography courtesy of Linzi Cason Photography.
Show Comments (0)