31 July 2014

Amherst: Houdini Day

Bruce MacNab, author of The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini, has helped arrange a special Houdini Day in Amherst, Nova Scotia, this Sunday, August 3, 2014. The event celebrates Houdini's historic August 3, 1896 performance at the Amherst Academy of Music.

Read more.

Also in the post, it says that "Lucas Wilson will perform Houdini's upside down straitjacket escape from a 100-foot crane."

A special way to mark Houdini's presence in Canada!

Top 5 posts in July 2014

It's been a busy month at Canada's Magic, with 44 posts and over 2000 page loads!  The most popular were:
5. Goodbye to Morrissey Magic -- the end of an era in Toronto - It's been almost a year, but it's still catching people by surprise.
4. Aaron Fisher interviews Chris Mayhew: A Series of Unfortunate Effects 

3. Who's where July 2014 - Keep your eyes open for the August page.

2. Niagara Falls: Mindtrix the Show - Reviews anyone?

and the most viewed (but poorly responded to) post this month  ...

1. How well do you know me? - Never you mind.  I may just inflict the answers on you anyway.

30 July 2014

They're all fabulous, of course!

What do the following people have in common, other than the fact that they're all Canadian magicians?

Any idea?

Maybe this will help.  The following magicians also have the same thing in common:

They are a fabulous group of people to be sure!   Words can't describe what an opportunity it would be, to be able to be shoulder-to-shoulder in a room with these bright minds and seasoned performers.  What about spending a week with them?

If you're a kid between the ages of 8 and 18, you can!

All of the above folks are scheduled to be at the 2014 season of Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Camp!  (You can read my thoughts on Sorcerers Safari in my post "The secret to Sorcerers Safari's success" or watch the 2013 Magic Camp documentary.)

There will also be many other wonderful and talented people at camp this year.  Too numerous to count.  My apologies if you're going to be there and I neglected to get your name down.

This year Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp runs from Friday August 15th through to Wednesday August 20th.  There's still room for a few last-minute registrations.  Register at http://www.sorcererssafari.ca




29 July 2014

Reviews: Keith Brown's Exchange

From the CBC:
I’m a brash skeptic who will dismiss any magician’s trick shown to me on video by simply yelling “IT’S VIDEO!” and storming away. I don’t believe in anything supernatural as much as I believe in the human mind’s ability to manipulate and be manipulated, even by itself.

That said, Keith Brown blew my little pumpkin all over the back wall of Venue 5 on Friday night. And not just with his tricks, each of which elicited a reaction from the audience that I suspect would have been the same if we had just seen a shark attack him on stage.

Read more.


From the Winnipeg Free Press:
Baby-faced London, Ont., magician Keith Brown wants to make your fringe experience a magical one, and his one-man, hour-long Exchange hits the mark. Featuring straight-up magic — with playing cards, cellphones and neckties — and an impressive use of a memory palace to memorize a deck of cards, Brown’s sweetness and talent charm the audience. And when he brings out some curious and pointy props for his finale, he brings the show home with stomach-churning impressiveness.

Read more

28 July 2014

Collingwood: The Young Faust by Sawyer Bullock

From Simcoe:
Local magician Sawyer Bullock will present a new show Aug. 8-9 at Collingwood’s New Life Brethren in Christ Church.

The 19-year-old Wasaga Beach resident, who lived in Stayner growing up, said the show is called Sawyer Bullock Presents The Young Faust.

“It’s an evening of magic, comedy and mentalism,” Bullock said.

He started writing the show about a year ago but said it only started to really come together in the last couple months.

Read more.

You may remember Sawyer was the recipient of the 2012 Tony Eng Youth Fund bursary.

Well done Sawyer!


From Sawyer Bullock's Facebook page:


27 July 2014

Scott Hood, Executive Committee Member of the I.B.M.

Shawn Farquhar isn't the only Canadian with a new position among the I.B.M. officers this year.  Congratulations to Scott Hood, who was sworn in as an Executive Committee Member!

It's also worth noting that Scott is also the president of the Canadian Association of Magicians.  Thank you Scott for taking on that important role!

From the Perfect Magic Facebook page:



26 July 2014

Eric Leclerc introduced by Kal Penn at Comic Con

Yesterday, Eric Leclerc presented at Comic Con in San Diego. From Zap2It
Game Your Brain to Superhero Status will feature Tony Gonzalez (CBS Sports’ “THE NFL TODAY” analyst, You Can’t Lick Your Elbow), Dr. Armand Dorian (ER physician, You Can’t Lick Your Elbow), David Rees (Going Deep with David Rees) and Eric Leclerc (illusionist, Brain Games). Together, the panelists will take attendees through a series of interactive experiments that will mess with your mind and show you that what may seem superhuman is actually within your reach. The panel will take place Friday, July 25, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the San Diego Convention Center, Room 24ABC.

Read more.





Apparently at Comic Con, they know how to treat volunteers!


25 July 2014

Montreal: Mario the Magician

From the Perfect Magic Facebook page:




24 July 2014

Win tickets to Greg Frewin's show!

From Greg Frewin's Facebook page:





Jeff Pinsky on the cover of Northern Peeks

Jeff Pinsky, owner of the Browsers Den of Magic, is featured in the most recent issue of Northern Peeks (Vol 17, 1, Summer 2014), the publication of the Canadian Association of Magicians!

In it, Joan Caesar has a wonderful interview with Jeff.

From the interview, Jeff says:
However, a magic shop is a specialty retail store and as such has some unique factors that come into play.  Its most unique feature is that the person operating the shop is more central to its relations with the patrons.

Too true Jeff.  And we're lucky to have you operating Browser's!


Lee Asher agrees:
With many brick and mortar magic shops closing down and going out of business theses days, Jeff Pinsky works hard to ensure the Ontario magic community continues to thrive.  Running The Browser's Den of Magic seven days a week is a small testament to his immense dedication and passion for the art of magic.  Thank you Mr. Pinsky.  Thank you!

What Lee said!

I've said this before and feel the need to say it again.  I urge everyone to support our remaining brick and mortar magic shops. It's the first place many kids get bitten by the magic bug. It's a place they can go for encouragement and coaching, by people in the know. A nurturing community is formed in a local shop, which can't be duplicated through the internet.

Don't have brick and mortar shop in your area? Consider supporting one through their online shops. (I direct your attention to two of the wonderful sponsors of this blog, Perfect Magic and of course, The Browser's Den of Magic!)









23 July 2014

Mark Correia's great escape!

From Global News:
Tue, Jul 22: Toronto teen Mark Correia got strapped into a straitjacket two weeks ago. The 18-year-old magician and actor’s goal was to raise $25,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research by living in the straitjacket until today. He’s back in studio to tell us how far he got.

Participate in "Guinness World Record for Most Magicians in a Magic Show"

From CAM:
C.A.M. members have now been accepted to participate in:

JUST RECEIVED MY CONFIRMATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE “MOST MAGICIANS” trying to break the “Guinness World Record for Most Magicians in a Magic Show” 
This will be held in Colon Michigan Wednesday August 06th 2014…

Read more and register BEFORE JULY 25th.

22 July 2014

Classifieds: Own a piece of magic history

The following is a classified ad from David Merry.  For more information, or to make an offer, contact Dave directly.

--

Own a piece of magic history.

I am just about to buy an amazing piece of comedy memorabilia and am putting up a magic four pack of autographs from my collection. They are Houdini (a letter with his actual signature from 1926) and pictures framed. Blackstone Sr. (from 1949) an actual Merlin playbill signed by Doug Henning and Chita Rivera from early 1980’s) and David Copperfield see attached pictures. I thought I’d put it out to my friends in Canada first before the open market $2500.


Houdini letter with his actual signature:





Houdini letter (above) and pictures framed





Blackstone Sr.:





Signed Merlin playbill:





David Copperfield:







21 July 2014

Spot the Canadian

Trick question, of course.


From the IBM Facebook page:


20 July 2014

Escaping Parkinson's: less than 2 days to go!

Mark Correia has just under 2 days to go in his "Escaping Parkinson's" stunt to raise money for Parkinson's research.  According to the Michael J. Fox fundraising site, Mark has already raised over $8000 in donations.  Way to go Mark!

Visit the Michael J. Fox fundraising site to help Mark reach his $25000 fundraising goal.

Look at Mark's YouTube channel to see his daily videos.

See some of the press Mark's generated below:









19 July 2014

Asi Wind to lecture Montreal and Ottawa too!

You've already read about Asi Wind's Toronto lecture date.  Now go on over to Magic Information Canada where you can see the details for Asi's lectures in Montreal and Ottawa!
  • Montreal, QC: Tuesday, August 12 - lecture
  • Montreal, QC: Wednesday, August 13 - workshop
  • Ottawa, ON: Thursday, August 14 - lecture

18 July 2014

Shawn Farquhar wants to give you $200 in magic!

To be more specific, Shawn wants you to promote the IBM.  The person who promotes the IBM the most between now and September will be awarded a "box full of magic."

Read all the details on the IBM Facebook page.


17 July 2014

Trevor and Lorena Watters on Global News

Watch Trevor and Lorena Watters on Global News:






Shawn Farquhar: Third Time’s a Charm

Dennis Schick from the IBM has kindly provided me with a PDF copy of the (previously mentioned) cover story about Shawn Farquhar in this month's issue of The Linking Ring to share with the readers of Canada's Magic.

From Dennis:
If you are an I.B.M. member, you have already seen and read the cover story on Canada's own Shawn Farquahar in the July issue of The Linking Ring. If you are not an I.B.M. member, here it is, with a reminder that this is a good example of what you are missing by not being a member. Why not join and support Shawn and his year as president? Go to www.magician.org.

Thank you very much Dennis!

16 July 2014

Calgary: Mega Magic Camp

From the Vanishing Rabbit's Facebook page:





Keith Brown on Global News

Watch Keith Brown on Global News promoting the Winnipeg Fringe Festival:


15 July 2014

Toronto: Asi Wind lecture

From the same people who brought you Michael Ammar, Daniel Garcia, The Buck Twins, Eric Jones and many others -- Sorcerers Safari presents the Asi Wind Lecture in Toronto - Wednesday August 20th.

WHAT: The Asi Wind Lecture WHERE: Browser's Den // 3220 Dufferin Street #19, Toronto, ON M6A 2T3. WHEN: Wednesday August 20th, 2014 

Asi Wind comes to Toronto! With the help of Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp, the Browser's Den is proud to offer you the opportunity to spend an evening with Asi Wind - World renowned mentalist.

Spontaneous and unpredictable, Asi's magic lectures are a roller-coaster for the brain. Combining his free-spirited playfulness and uniquely creative mind, Asi treats each audience to a truly unforgettable experience. At one moment Asi might reveal the name of your past love and another he might read someones mind over the phone. The only thing you can expect is the unexpected.

Read more and buy tickets.

14 July 2014

Shawn Farquhar, president of the I.B.M.

Updated on July 16 to add:
Dennis Schick from the IBM has kindly provided me with a PDF copy of the (previously mentioned) cover story about Shawn Farquhar in this month's issue of The Linking Ring to share with the readers of Canada's Magic.

Thank you very much Dennis! 

From Dennis:
If you are an I.B.M. member, you have already seen and read the cover story on Canada's own Shawn Farquahar in the July issue of The Linking Ring. If you are not an I.B.M. member, here it is, with a reminder that this is a good example of what you are missing by not being a member. Why not join and support Shawn and his year as president? Go to www.magician.org.


Updated at 3pm to add:
  • Dennis Schick has a wonderful interview with Shawn on page 22 in this month's issue of the Linking Ring (v94, 7) July 2014.

As many of you already know, Shawn Farquhar recently became president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Dennis Schick wrote up some interesting parallels between Shawn and Kenrick “ICE” McDonald, incoming president of the Society of American Magicians.  

From the IBM blog:
The combined convention this year of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians will establish a number of firsts, as well as other interesting and historic events. Until someone actually researches the archives, some of these are more assumptions than facts. They are interesting to speculate about anyway. Besides, astute magic historians likely will come forward to set the record straight whatever we say. But until then, here are a half-dozen observations and tidbits about the two new presidents of the largest (I.B.M.) and the oldest (S.A.M.) magic organizations in the world.

Read more.


13 July 2014

How well do you know me?

When I started this site back in 2010, I did so pseudo-anonymously.  In part because I'm a private person, and partly because I didn't want who I am to influence this bloggy experiment.

As the site gained traction, I've been fascinated learning who you some of you think I am.  Typically the guesses have been very flattering, but wrong!  There are still a number of you out there who don't know me, that think you have an idea of who I am.  Let's see how right you are.

For fun, fill out the poll below.  People who know my (not so) secret identity are welcome to participate.  The poll will close in 13 days.  (For a score and bragging rights, e-mail me your answers or post them in the comments.)

The person behind the curtain at Canada's Magic:


  • is shorter than the average of the heights of Richard Forget, Ryan Pilling, James Alan and David Acer
  • is / has been on the executive of CAM
  • is / has been on the executive of IBM
  • was born in Western Canada
  • was born in Central Canada
  • was born in Eastern Canada
  • performs / performed magic professionally
  • performs / performed magic semi-professionally
  • performs / performed with live animals
  • box jumps / jumped
  • has recently (within the past 5 years) published a book
  • has created and marketed at least one original magic effect
  • has been involved in the magic community for more than 10 years
  • has been involved in the magic community for more than 20 years
  • has been involved in the magic community for more than 30 years
  • has at least two X chromosomes (making them either female or a male with Klinefelter's syndrome)

If you're feeling confident, leave the name of who you think I am in the comments.  (Unless you really do know.)

Let the games begin!








12 July 2014

Clive Court, Life Member of the Canadian Public Relations Society

Congratulations Clive!

From the Canadian Public Relations Society:
Clive Court began his PR career in London’s Fleet Street as assistant to the Publicity manager of a major daily newspaper. He was responsible for the promotion of the Children’s I-SPY Book series which was recently revived in the UK. In the late 50s, he also launched the famous Michelin Travel Guides into the UK market. He soon moved to television and was responsible for the launching promotion of Get Ahead which eventually became known as Dragon’s Den (or Shark Tank in the US). Before leaving the UK in 1962, Clive worked for Granada Television on the promotion of Coronation Street during its first year of production.

Read more.

11 July 2014

Steffen Banta wins Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp scholarship

Congratulations Steffen on winning a scholarship to Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp!

This year Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp runs from Friday August 15th through to Wednesday August 20th.  They are currently taking registrations at http://www.sorcererssafari.ca

From the IBM Facebook page:





And rumour has it that

Congratulations Mike D'Urzo!

Congratulations Mike D'Urzo on your Wedding Industry Experts Award for 2014!

From Mike's Twitter feed:


10 July 2014

Escaping Parkinson's now underway

Best wishes Mark!

Watch his Day One video on YouTube:




From Global News:
Toronto teen Mark Correia got strapped into a straitjacket Tuesday morning — a straitjacket in which he plans to spend the next two weeks.

The 18-year-old magician and actor hopes to raise $25,000 for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research by living in the straitjacket until July 22.

“This is real,” he said, as Liza Fromer of Global’s The Morning Show helped buckle him in. “No breaks. No freedom. No escape until the last minute.”

Read more and watch video.



From Inside Halton:
Escaping from a straitjacket has become a mainstay trick for many magicians. Illusionist Harry Houdini made it a staple of his own act while hanging upside down from a crane.

Now, Mark Correia is putting his own twist on the age-old magic trick by spending two weeks — as of today (Tuesday) strapped into one in support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.                              
Read more.



Family Fun Day with Greg Frewin

This is a great idea for families.  A nice early show for the kiddies and a rare chance at a Q&A with Greg himself!  (As you know, I think the experience is wonderful even without the Q&A.)  Don't just take my word for it, Yashy Murphy wrote about her experience too.  Read Murphy's post Greg Frewin's Imagine Magic Show!


From Greg Frewin Theatre's Facebook page:




09 July 2014

Review: Rosemary Reid

From Mooney on Theatre:
Rosemary Reid is one of the buskers at this years Fringe Club. If she comes over to your table and asks if she can sit down and do some magic, say yes. We did and all five of us thought she was terrific.
She impressed us with her card tricks, always a good thing, but what really dazzled us was her wit and personality. She was at ease before she even sat down; funny, fast, and delightful.

Read more.

Canadians at the World Championships of Magic

Updated July 10 to add this article from The Now Newspaper:
NORTH DELTA — A North Delta couple was crowned “North American Champions of Stage Magic” after traveling to St. Louis last week for the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Society of American Magicians and North American F.I.S.M. Championships Combined Convention.

Trevor and Lorena Watters met while studying at Douglas College, and now the couple, who reside in North Delta, perform comedy magic routines together, competing at an international level.  
Read more.

Congratulations to Shin Lim and Lorena & Trevor Watters on their successes at the IBM/SAM competitions!  Wishing you all the best at the FISM World Championships next July.  (Visit the IBM website to read the full list of contest winners.)

Trevor Watters has a magic touch with women.

On one of his first dates with an 18-year-old named Lorena, Watters invited her back to his parents’ house in Delta.

Some men might have chatted a bit before quickly moving to hanky-panky. Not Watters.
He had placed a large illusionist’s box in the living room. He invited Lorena to climb into it so he could stick 12 swords into her.

Read more.

From the Edmonton Journal and CTV News:
Three Canadians from the Vancouver-area will represent North America at the World Championships of Magic in Italy next summer.

Trevor and Lorena Watters, a North Delta couple, beat six other finalists to win the North American Stage Magic Championship in St. Louis this weekend.

Vancouver-born Shin Lim will represent North America under the category of magic acts performed to a small audience without a stage.

Read more.

Montreal: Lab Magique

There is a magicians’ association in Montreal called REGROUPEMENT DES MAGICIENS QUÉBÉCOIS. Its purpose is to promote the art of magic in Quebec and is open to professionals and amateurs to exchange ideas, techniques, etc. Phil and I were invited to a show they were presenting in an intimate cabaret like theatre  in a room upstairs of Le Fripon, a restaurant in Old Montreal, on Jacques Cartier Square. Go know! It’s a “LABATOIRE EXPÉRIMENTAL POUR MAGICIENS ET ARTISTES  DE VARIETÉ”. I say its a great idea because its a place that seats about 65 people and it was full, and it’s presented like a real show, which it is, with an M.C. who was Eric Electrik that night, with several magicians performing. This is a place for them to try out their stuff.

Read more.

Also from the article:

  • Patrick Reymond September 24, 2014, 
  • Loran - October 22, 2014 and 
  • Patrick Kuffs – November 19. 


08 July 2014

Congratulations to Luc Langevin!

Luc Langevin has received two nominations from The Prix Gémeaux (Gémeaux Awards) which honour French Canadian achievements in Canadian television.


Congratulations Luc and we'll be rooting for you at the awards presentation in September!

07 July 2014

FREE Summer Reading Program

From I Saw That! Exclusive Magic's Facebook page:



IncrediBrent's summer schedule

From IncrediBrent's Twitter feed:

06 July 2014

Escaping Parkinsons stunt to start Tuesday July 8th

From Mark Correia's Twitter feed:


Linking Ring (v94, 6) June 2014

There's a nice write-up of Murray Hatfield's lecture for Ring 352 in State College, Pennsylvania on page 54.

05 July 2014

Elizabeth Warlock reviews International Magic Convention

From The Stage:
When magicians from around the world meet up there is sure to be eye popping magic to be seen both on stage and at the close table. Once again it was the latter which dominated, and if there were too many tricks with cards nobody seemed to mind, especially when it came from Dani DaOrtiz, Miguel Gea and Christian Engblom performing as the Fat Brothers. Working together as a trio, chosen cards were revealed at a number given by a spectator, the Aces jumped from the deck and immediately changed to Kings, the deck would change colour and the pips disappear only to return with the flick of a finger.

But perhaps the most incredible card performer was Mahdi who with no hands wowed everyone with some amazing effects including fancy shuffles.        

Read more.

04 July 2014

Breaking news from IBM/SAM

Updated July 5th to add the official announcement from Trevor and congratulations from the Vanishing Rabbit and Clive Court:








From Murray Hatfield's Twitter feed:


Congratulations  Lorena and Trevor!!!

IBM/SAM Competition Finals update

Thanks for the update Jen!  Way to go Lorena and Trevor!

From Jen Segal's Facebook page:


Grateful for our July sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support.  This site would not be possible without their backing.

We're grateful to have the support of:

The next time you see them, let them know you saw their sponsorship here!

For more information about purchasing Sponsored Posts or about our Platinum, Gold, or Silver level sponsorships, please visit our Sponsorship page.

Or you can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year! 

Donations of any size are always welcome.




03 July 2014

Eric Leclerc on BrainGames

From Eric Leclerc's Facebook page:

Winnipeg: Keith Brown's Exchange

From Keith Brown's Twitter feed:

02 July 2014

Montreal: Gaston lecture

From Montreal Magic Jam:
When: July 10
Where: Espace La Risée
1258 Bélanger Est, Montréal

Two-time FISM Champion, Gaston, is a key member of the famed Flicking Fingers and one of magic’s most creative performers. 
Gaston: an actor, comedian, and master magician all rolled up into one. Born in Munich Germany, Gaston started performing magic at an early age of seven. He trained at the school of magic in Munich where he later became a teacher. In 1988 he started working on adding skills with intensive classes of pantomime, ballet, jazz, acting, and attended the Drama School Schauspiel Munich. He’s written and starred in two solo shows that have played in Germany; both shows revolving around 10 characters from literature.

Read more.


[via Magic Information Canada]

01 July 2014

Who's where July 2014

Leave a comment on this post to let us know where you're going to be this month!

Listings from the comments section:
From Captain Corbin:
Yarr,
I'll be performing pirate themed magic shows every Friday in July and August at London Ontario's Storybook Gardens! and Every Sunday in July and August at Gravenhurst Ontario's Wharf aboard the steamship Wenonah I'll be hosting a 2 hour pirate cruise on Lake Muskoka!





















Fine print:
  • Must be a Canadian associated with the magic community or a magic performance in Canada.
  • No more than one comment per event.
  • Submissions will be subject to editing and / or deletion.


Winnipeg: Society of Young Magicians

Society of Young Magicians meeting on July 6th. 
Read more.