The International Cultural Industry Fair (ICIF) will warm up with performance of magic, heralding a series of important cultural activities starting from next month, said organizers at a press conference Tuesday (Jun 22).

Robert Gallup, the creator, producer and star of the second largest touring magic show in the world, will make his Shenzhen debut at the Minsk World theme park from July 3 to 5, bringing his extreme magic show and deadly escapes to Shenzhen audiences.

Gallup will perform one of the most dangerous escapes ever attempted. He will be handcuffed, shackled and padlocked inside a mailbag, and thrown into the water from the ship. He will have less than a minute to free himself from his restraints, said the organizers.

Gallup has performed in 22 countries on six continents, been featured on more than 200 television shows, and produced a half-dozen highly rated network specials internationally.

With movie-star good looks and a rock-and-roll attitude, this modern-day Houdini combines intensely physical illusions, legitimately death-defying escapes, and a cutting edge approach to magic, bringing an alternative edge to both stage and television.

The ICIF organizing committee has invited a range of entertainment groups from home and abroad to perform in Shenzhen in the runup to the State-level, international event, which will be held in November.

Following the magic shows, a series of activities have been scheduled including a young emcees competition, World Miss University Contest finals and an international art week to be held in Nanshan District.

Activities scheduled in September will be a kite-flying competition, family talent competitions, story-telling competition for juveniles, and an elite model competition for Southeast China.

Editor: Donald