All good things... - Nikola Arkane Journal

As we approach Christmas and the end of this year. I feel it’s a good time to sit down and reflect on all that I have achieved in the last year.

This morning I went through my calendar exploring each month’s adventures, making a small note of significant or little personal achievements that happened and also that mean something to me.

365 days on earth is both a long time and a quick one. I think we all need to give time to appreciate life’s little moments.

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So, in celebration of living life and this blog, why don’t you too, sit down and look at all you have achieved at this Years End. Achievements by the way don’t have to be huge. Just look at each month and recap how you felt, who you saw, where you were or something that happened.

Every moment is special if we choose to see it that way. And it might also help build a path into the new year. Giving us ideas for adventures and goals we wish to achieve next in our lives.

So here we go.

A year in the life, Nikola Arkane – Let’s do this!

January 2024

Chris Wilder’s Curious Cabaret

I kicked off 2023 performing at this wonderful event thanks to Chris’s invitation.

The Curious Cabaret is a project of love by its creator Chris who is passionate about developing and pushing the standard of magic audiences witness in Nottingham, England.

He is also for helping his fellow magicians learn and expand on their abilities by giving opportunities for individuals to get involved and perform at these events. But also bringing experts in to teach on subjects related to improving performance.

Check out Chris’s The Curious Cabaret here.

It went so well, I’m back in 2025 not only performing but teaching my very first practical magic lecture on something I feel very strongly about in my own performance – Connection. Link to my Connection workshop here.

The Session Magic Convention

Every year an amazing little convention is held by two of the probably most known magicians in magic; Joshua Jay and Andi Gladwin. I can’t believe it was only six years ago I attended my very first one, and I’ve been attending it ever since because it is so good.

As inspiration for the year ahead, this convention is a perfect way to get your creative juices flowing and to meet up with friends and colleagues before the madness of the year ahead kicks in for real.

This year, Andi and Josh asked me to perform in the Gala Show at this convention and my word what an honour it was.

Looking back now at the time I know I was completely overwhelmed with the experience but also delighted to perform alongside these amazing talents in magic.

My idols and now my friends. Danny Buckler, Francesco Fontanelli, David Stone, Rubén Vilagrand and Alexandra Duvivier.

February 2024

Like all artists, the beginning of each year is plagued with limited work demand and this year was no exception. I mostly spent this month worrying about the year ahead.

Which as you can see (and I now know) I probably didn’t need to worry so much after all. But this is something that most self employed artists face daily in doing what we love. It is worth it, but it is not a life for everyone.

March 2024

This month was beyond exciting. I got to put together a show with Tom Stone and Gaston for my very first performance in the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood’s Palace of Mystery.

In it I performed three solo acts and collaborated with both Tom and Gaston in their numbers. We created a full forty five minute flowing piece of theatre rather than a “gala” type show which was refreshing for the membership to watch and for us performers to create.

I have been lucky to perform in three of the five room in this clubhouse and home of magic which you can read about further in this blog by clicking here. In this post I dissect each room giving a overview of what it is like as a performer working in it. Helpful I think if you ever wish to put together a show in this amazing venue.

April 2024

This month was all about rehearsals. After performing part of my act I wanted to compete in FISM Europe with at the Castle last month I decided to work on it to get make it a full 6 minute piece in order to compete.

This month I booked a proper rehearsal space and brought over Tom Stone to direct me in bringing my performance together.

A secret revealed to the world, I was invited to appear in Season 10 of Penn & Teller’s Fool Us. This episode went live in April 2024

Prep for this began well over a year ago and seeing the final performance after all the hard work I put in was just magical. You can watch my appearance by clicking on the link here.

May 2024

May was all about performing and practicing before the biggest competition in my life ever – FISM Europe.

I was invited to perform at SAMS Magic Convention in Scotland. At The Ulster Society of Magicians Chairman’s dinner in Belfast – my local magic club. Both events were wonderful to be a part of as I met with friends and made new ones whilst sharing what I love.

Competing at my first ever FISM

This was possibly the best and worst experience of my life. An amazing experience, yet the most terrifying thing I’ve ever did and I don’t think I was ready for it. But I did it anyway. It took me several months to get over it and allow myself to be in a place where I could actually be proud of what I achieved. I will compete again and hopefully i will be more prepared for it than I was this time.

June 2024

This month became more about personal goals. And Two things happened that made this month both memorable and magical.

I took time with my sister and we attended an Over 30’s disco. This was such a great event. The music was all the hits that would have been popular when we were younger and the event started at 5pm and ended at 9pm at night. It was beyond fun to let loose and just have fun.

From this I decided i only live once and booked myself a whirlwind trip to Edinburgh to see one of my idols, Taylor Swift performing her Era’s Tour. I stayed in my first hostel ever and thought I might die but I survived! I also got to see one of my besties, Victoria whom I haven’t see in like forever!

July 2024

This month I attended Magicians Workshop Exploring the Act thanks to some funding from the Art’s Council and Lottery Fund. Here alongside 12 other performers, I brought an act to work on across five days. We used the tools that we learnt previously in Conjuring A, B and C to elevate and advance our work creatively together.

If you would like to read a more in depth summary of The Exploring the Act course, please click here to read a blog I wrote on it.

August 2024

Funding Application

After spending an entire year searching for funding help as an artist, finally this month applications opened for SIAP individual Artist Funds to give creative individuals funds to further their careers. I spent most moments this month researching, writing, re-writing, meeting with an arts officer and a friend who has some expertise in this field in order to submit the most important document in my career. I decided to apply to pursue a dream project.

A Proper Holiday

This month i had a proper weeks holiday with my family – that was something really magical this year!

September 2024

This month I decided “just for fun” to build my very own tailcoat from scratch. Thankfully my best friend Stacy came in and helped me reach that goal!

October 2024

Illusions Magic Festival Denmark

Probably one of, if not the best magic convention I have been a part of. Steen Pegani runs a tight ship and looked after us all like family. There was so much magic and lots of down time too to explore, taste the local food and hang with these exceptional people. I left this convention feeling like a star!

Witchcraft

A brand new collaboration show with these four amazing magicians.

Hanna Günther

Paulina Räsänen

Johanna Enäsuo

We put together a halloween spooktacular showcase of all our solo pieces and integrated them to make a full show which we performed twice in the Dieselverstaden theatre in Sweden.

November 2024

PENGUIN MAGIC

This is something for you to look forward to. I’m not sure when but this November I travelled all the way to Columbus Ohio to make my very first Penguin Magic Lecture. And it was absolutely THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER!

This Penguin team is just unbelievable and I cannot wait for you all to see the final product – watch this space!

Scholarship Award Granted

This is a convention I really wanted to attend, support and be a part of. However, being in Las Vegas it’s the other side of the world and with the rising costs of literally everything, I was sure I wouldn’t make it. Luckily it’s organiser, Leah Orleans announced scholarship places for people who needed help to get there.

I applied thinking I would not be in with a chance and behold – I was awarded one and am so very grateful. I cannot wait to be there at this pioneering event. Supporting and learning from everyone there.

Huge thank you Mystify!

Arts Council of Northern Ireland Award granted

My proposed project “Foundations with Hyunjoon Kim” was green lit by the Arts Council and funded by the Exchequer fund. And this month I began putting plans into place to go study magic for five full weeks in South Korea this January 2025.

December 2024

I created a brand new Christmas magic show – for my own sanity if anything else. And I’m so glad i did because this month, which is the tiredest I normally feel as an artist, I felt rejuvenated because it was all new material. I also worked several close up events, which makes me so happy. Since being petrified of close up just a few years ago I am still surprised at how I can now just do it. I’m more confident than I’ve ever been and being scared of this feels like ancient history.

I performed at roughly 26 gigs driving up and down the country this month spreading Christmas cheer. Not a bad way to end this year with a home audience.

And finally

It’s safe to say this year has been much better than I ever could have wished for. I achieved so much both professionally and personally for myself and others. I managed to think about how I think and put it into action. This discovery has possibly been the best thing I have learnt not only this year, but my entire lifetime. I finally feel in control of my emotions and feelings. This will help me on the journey to my goals more importantly, my life to come.

There are too many pictures to go through but here are some fun ones to recap 2024. (Swipt left to see more images).