28 February 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver part 4

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

February 28th, 1923 (Wednesday)

Houdini to Perform in Vancouver

Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.



Finally! H (for Houdini) - Day, at long last.

Houdini is to appear tonight at the Orpheum Theatre headlining in his first vaudeville appearance ever in Vancouver, British Columbia. It will be followed by a matinee and evening show on each of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Excitement must have been tangible in the city.

But it is too early for newspaper reviews to appear just yet.

Instead, a playfully combative article giving an exciting final burst of advance publicity appears in the lower front page of The Vancouver Sun on this date entitled, "Houdini Defies Police; Ditto Their Hangman."

What makes this article, the fourth, unique is that is is an unsigned editorial personally addressing Houdini in the first person.

It begins,
"Alright, Houdini!"

It goes on to restate the conditions of its "challenge" to have Houdini escape from a straitjacket upside down while hanging outside their office the next day at noon.

I'm not sure how accurate that headline was. His defiance of the police simply would take the form of having them truss him up. As to their "hangman," well, that was a bit of literary hyperbole to be sure. It might not have been strictly accurate but it definitely made you want to read on!

But they were not done. The Sun knew how to "up the ante."

They wrote:
"Just to make it snappy, Mr. Houdini, The Sun expects no less than ten thousand to be outside The Sun office to watch your antics."

In this way, The Sun itself would soon become part of the news it was reporting; it would become part of the Houdini legend.

Then an unexpectedly humorous boast:
"This newspaper has . . .  for its own and your benefit . . . put a couple of new storeys on its building."

I take this as a sly wink to its readers paying close attention. In effect, it's a reminder to them that, hey, this is all good fun! Don't take any of this too seriously! We don't!

It concludes with an exhortation to Houdini to provide a prize for the best snapshot spectators might take of the outdoor event (as he had done elsewhere) "successful or otherwise."

Were they now suggesting his stunt might not be successful? An element of doubt certainly was dropped into the "mix" for the first time. Which was very clever. What better way to entice spectators to come out and see for themselves?

The tone is playfully combative as I said. It was as if they were daring him not to show up - to an event to which he had already agreed (and indeed probably originated). A master stroke of publicity. Having enthusiastically proclaimed his greatness, at this last minute the newspaper was now hinting at his possible fallibility and the fact that - good heavens - he might even renege, the "challenge" they had offered being so great.

What a laugh seen from today's perspective. Houdini and The Sun could not have been better allies.

The Sun concludes:
"You said you would be here at noon Thursday. Well, you keep your end of the bargain and never fear that The Sun won't be there with everything it has promised."

It was positioned almost like a gunslingers shoot out! Who could possibly resist attending it?

A paid Orpheum Theatre advertisement similar to the first also appears in this issue.


TOMORROW: "Houdini in for Tough Time; Detectives Ricci And Sinclair Bind Him."


-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.  With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.

--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

Top 5 posts in February 2017

Out of the 36+ posts at Canada's Magic this month, here are the 5 most viewed posts in the past 30 days:


5. Cambridge: Shawn Farquhar - A rare Ontario appearance of Shawn!  (Enter here to for a chance to win tickets!)
4. Ottawa: Magic Monday - One Year Anniversary! - Happy anniversary Steven Lafond!
3. Outerbridge Magic upcoming tour dates - I'm looking forward to hearing all about their tour in China.
2. Chilliwack: Cabaret of Wonders VI - One of the few shows that doesn't require Shawn to be in an airport!

and the most viewed post this month  ...





1. Murray and the top 3 most random tricks - I wonder if Murray will be performing these during his USO tour.

27 February 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver part 3

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

February 27th, 1923 (Tuesday)

Houdini to Perform in Vancouver
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.



It is now H (for Houdini) - Day Minus 1.

Houdini appears to be coming from performing in Winnipeg (in what appears to be a cross-Canada tour heading west). No doubt he (and his supporting acts including a young comedian named Jack Benny) will appreciate Vancouver's milder weather having experienced Winnipeg in mid-February.

Window advertisements for a Houdini performance and shows at the Orpheum theatre.
Vancouver Public Library 86870.

The public must have been eagerly awaiting the first appearance ever in Vancouver of this legendary "genius of escape" who's exploits they have read about (and possibly even seen dramatized on the silent screen) without ever a hope of actually seeing him in person.

Until now - during his triumphant "return to vaudeville."

The Vancouver Sun, our primary source for continuing coverage, is doing an incredible job ratcheting up public interest in the Houdini story and in doing so has become very much part of his eternal legend.

In the lower left corner of page one on this date is the headline,
"Sun Planning to Make It Tough Job For Friend Houdini."

It first recapitulates the news about his latest sensational stunt, the water torture cell, which he will perform at the Orpheum.

The report at this point is a bit confusing. That is, it is confusing from our point of view today. It describes the water torture cell as both his "original" as well as "self-constructed" escape stunt but then mentions that Houdini will escape from "the can filled to the brim with water" - which surely sounds more like Houdini's old classic milk can escape?

My guess is the writer of this article, not having ever seen the act, has simply confabulated details of the two different escapes into one. Or that he is sloppily referring to the water torture cell as a can. It is unclear. Not that contemporary audiences of the day would know or care.

Given equal prominence in this third article is a reminder of Houdini's "acceptance" of the challenge purportedly issued by The Sun "to liberate himself from a straight jacket [sic] wrapped about him. . . suspended by the ankles, head downwards, from a beam in front of The Sun office, at a height of at least thirty feet."

The Sun enthusiastically concludes,
"This will probably be one of his greatest efforts. . . a wonderful chance to show his genius. . ."

I know if I were alive at the time and living in Vancouver I'd've already bought multiple performance tickets. And for sure I'd be outside The Sun office on Thursday at high noon to see Houdini escape from his straitjacket confinement.

How about you?

A paid Orpheum Theatre advertisement similar to the first also appears in this issue.



TOMORROW: "Houdini Defies Police; Ditto Their Hangman."



-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.

--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

26 February 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver part 2

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--

February 26th, 1923 (Monday)

Houdini to Perform in Vancouver
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.



It is now H (for Houdini) - Day, Minus 2.

Excitement is mounting.

The publicity for Houdini's first ever Vancouver, British Columbia vaudeville performance is gearing up.

It is assuming the status of genuine news; coverage of his upcoming visit is indeed carried as front page news in The Vancouver Sun, our primary source for continuing and developing coverage .

A headline on this day (near the bottom of page one) screams in huge letters, "Houdini To Hang Downwards". Then in smaller lettering, "Strapped in Straight Jacket, Will Swing from Sun Building Thursday."

It goes on to state:
"Houdini, genius of escape, has accepted a unique challenge. . . he offers to free himself from a straight jacket wrapped around him by any member or members of the Vancouver police force, and while suspended in mid-air, head downwards, in front of The Vancouver Sun newspaper office on Thursday at noon."

So it would appear that The Sun had chosen to play along with the Houdini legend with its "unique challenge."

Astute readers will, of course, recognize the fact that Houdini would perform a similar free public stunt in almost every major town or city he played in order to generate publicity for his local theatre appearance. He usually did it outside of the local newspaper office to achieve maximum exclusive coverage by same. It was guaranteed to stop traffic and become a newsworthy event all by itself. One can only bow to Houdini's highly developed sense of self-promotion and ponder what wonders of publicity he would have achieved in today's Twitter-verse?

This second article goes on to describe the nature of his confinement in a straitjacket. By enlisting the local police to truss him up, Houdini once more ensured that no "funny business" would mess up his stunt and that it would be enhanced in the public's imagination by his implied challenge to local police to confine him.

A paid Orpheum Theatre advertisement similar to the first also appears in this issue.

TOMORROW: "Planning to Make It Tough Job For Friend Houdini."


-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.

--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

Rounding the Western rings in March 2017

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.


CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- #ShipLifeNoFilter
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- TBA.
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- TBA.
Fraser Valley, BCIBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)- Third Monday magic.
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- TBA.
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)- Meeting at Uncle Buck’s at Tsawwassen Mills.
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)  - TBA


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Rounding the Central rings in March 2017

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.

Montreal, QCRing 62 (20th Century Ring)- Free form first Fridaze.
- Second Saturday night special.
- Mid-Month meetup.
- March Madness.
- Montreal's 1st IBM Magic Jam.
- Instagram Tuesday.
Hamilton, ONRing 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)- TBA.
London, ONRing 265 (London Magician's Guild)- TBA.
Kitchener, ONRing 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)- Kind of Magic dealer demo.
Ottawa, ONRing 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)- TBA.
Ottawa, ONOttawa / Gatineau magicians- TBA
Toronto, ONRing 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)- Chris Pilsworth lecture.


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions

Rounding the Eastern rings in March 2017

Does anybody have current information to share about the Magic Circle of St. John?

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.


Halifax, NSRing 316 (Conjourer's Court) - Visit their Facebook page
St. John, NBMagic Circle of St. John- TBA


Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

25 February 2017

[Guest post] Houdini in Vancouver: part 1

Updated February 28th, 2023 to add:

 

Updated February 25th to add:




The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

--


February 25th, 1923 (Sunday)  

Houdini to Perform in Vancouver
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic.


Houdini was coming to Vancouver!

Hard to imagine the excitement such news would have generated on the narrow streets of Canada's "third city", Vancouver, British Columbia, back in February of 1923 or some 94 years ago today.

Houdini was then one of the world's most famous entertainers. He had never been to Vancouver before. In an era long long before the internet, before television, with radio in its infancy and silence being the only sound coming from film, vaudeville was still attracting the masses. It may well have been on its "last legs" although its audiences would never have suspected it with a major headliner like Houdini coming at long last to entertain them.

It was still news worthy of reporting.

The first published references extant about Houdini's first (and only) upcoming appearance in Vancouver appears in The Vancouver Sun on this date.

A two column wide by five inch paid advertisement by Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre on an inside page announces, "Attractions Coming. Wednesday Evening. February 28th. Four nights and three matinees. First Appearance Here of 'The Genius of Escape' Houdini (In Person) - Who Will Startle and Amaze."

Found in the Vancouver Public Library's microfiche of the February 25, 1923 edition of The Vancouver Sun.



I would posit that the "In Person" line was to distinguish his live appearance from any filmed appearances or that of any imitators.

A list of accompanying support acts (there are a half dozen or so appearing on the same vaudeville bill) includes a young comedian Jack Benny ("Wit, Music and Patter"). Prices noted: "Matinees: Thursday, Friday, 15 cents to 40 [?] cents. Saturday 15 cents to 55 cents. Nights 25 cents to $1.00."

A similar ad would run every day for the duration of Houdini's three day, four night Orpheum Theatre visit.

The Orpheum Theatre featuring Houdini's appearance in 1923 was an earlier incarnation of same; it is not the structure named the Orpheum Theatre still standing elsewhere today (which was constructed much later in 1927). Houdini's Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver is long gone. It was located where what is now the downtown's Pacific Centre Mall.

A two column wide by six inches photo of Houdini (entitled "Wizard of All Wizards Defies Strongest Shackles") dominates an inside page.

An eight inch deep column accompanying it is headlined "Houdini, Genius, Tops at Orpheum. Noted Master of Escape Will Make Appearance Here Next Wednesday."

It begins:
"Houdini, the marvellous, will make his first big vaudeville appearance in Vancouver next week. Houdini, known as the "Genius of Escape", will thrill and mystify Orpheum audiences beginning next Wednesday."

The article goes on to lavishly praise Houdini by reminding its readers of his numerous accomplishments in the entertainment field. One must wonder how much copy was generated by Houdini's own advance publicity machinery and how much was originated locally, designed to whip up newspaper and theatre ticket sales? 

Houdini was a master of obtaining free publicity for his shows. His antics sold newspapers and they in turn sold theatre tickets. What newspaper would therefore not love him? Especially as the theatre he was to appear in was a major advertiser. And so The Sun was either chosen - or had decided for itself - to become the primary vehicle for promoting and thereby documenting Houdini's once in a lifetime appearance.

This initial article reveals a couple significant facts once we get past the enthusiastic hyperbole.

First, it refers to Houdini's "return to vaudeville". Had Houdini returned happily or reluctantly to headlining such a show? We get no clues. We do know as he matured that he had attempted to master a new, less arduous performance methodology: the capturing of his incredible escape abilities via the brand new medium of silent film. It had not been the overwhelming success for which he had hoped.

Says The Sun:
"It was believed the motion pictures - which showed Houdini thrills, eclipsing anything ever portrayed via the innumerable possibilities of the camera - would reach the acme of his supernatural ability; but he himself says not."

So even Houdini acknowledged that silent film to that date for whatever reason had failed to capture the essence of his charismatic style. And if you've ever seen any of his films you'd know he was understating it. Houdini on film just didn't live up to his potential. His acting was somewhat wooden. He had too much competition on the silver screen to ever become its primary star. So what could Houdini do to make his return to the live vaudeville circuit a memorable triumph? Why, do what he always did best, of course. And that was to come up with a spanking new live performance of a "genuine novelty."

Says The Sun:
"[Houdini] says his latest sensation, liberating himself after being locked in a water torture cell, which he does in full view of the audience, is the most difficult feat he has ever accomplished in his varied and strenuous career."

Houdini comes through yet again! Who could resist seeing him escape something called a "water torture cell?"

Curious that they used the expression "supernatural" when referencing his abilities given his latter day fight against those claiming fraudulent "supernatural" abilities. I will assume in this instance that the writer was just using it as a contemporary superlative and wasn't implying any abilities to communicate with the dead!

Of historical interest, the article then goes on to describe the acts supporting Houdini's "return to vaudeville" which includes a reference to a young comedian named Jack Benny - who "will offer a few moments on his violin. He plays a little, gags a great deal and keeps the audience thoroughly amused."


Found in the Vancouver Public Library's microfiche of the February 25, 1923 edition of The Vancouver Sun.


TOMORROW: "Houdini Accepts A Unique Challenge."

-
Researched by The Magic Demon exclusively for Canada's Magic. With thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and The Vancouver Sun.


--

Thank you to
The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

Broken wand: Daryl Easton

It is with a heavy heart that I post the news about the recent passing of Daryl Easton.  I had the good fortune to meet Daryl when he was a special guest at Sorcerers Safari in 2015.  Although he's not Canadian, he had a big impact on the campers that year.   He was so easy going and just fit right in.

Magicana has an old video of Daryl performing in the Magic Palace in the 1980s.

Vanish Magazine has a feature with a Daryl tribute on page 34.

Our thoughts go out to his wife Alison, and their children, at this impossible time.

Matt Johnson in the Abbotsford News

From the Abbotsford News:
Submerged in water, with his neck chained to the floor of the 260-gallon tank, Matt Johnson's hands were cuffed through holes in its trapdoor roof.

Using a bobby pin, he picked both the handcuffs free and the collar off his neck.

Then came the hard part.

At Johnson's feet were 31 identical-looking keys. Thirty were useless; one would open the lock holding the door keeping him under water.

His lungs seared, begging for oxygen.

Where was that one key?

Johnson had come halfway around the world, from Abbotsford to Birmingham, to take a crack at fame: an audition on Britain's Got Talent.

But it was going wrong.

Read more.

24 February 2017

London and Fort Myers: David Merry in March

From David Merry's website:
Yuk Yuks London (confirm show times with Yuk Yuk's London)
  • March 3
  • March 4 

Laugh in Comedy Cafe (confirm show times with Laugh in Comedy Cafe)
  • March 9
  • March 10
  • March 11




More "Magic and Martini"

From James Alan's newsletter:
It's been a fantastic fall season at Magic & Martini and we're thrilled with the enthusiastic support and reviews we're received. Our shows in Toronto are sold out through March 5 so we've added additional dates to help manage the demand.

We've just added performances for Saturday nights on March 18, April 15 and April 29. Tickets are available now and we're offering our subscribers a discount. Use the code secrets and get two-for-one tickets to our shows in Toronto, Oakville and Hillsburgh.

Here is the full list of available dates:
SpiritHouse in Toronto
Saturday, March 18 (new)
Saturday, April 8 (limited space)
Saturday, April 15 (new)
Saturday, April 22 (limited space)
Saturday, April 29 (new)
Saturday, May 6
Saturday, May 20


O'Finn's Irish Temper in Oakville
Friday, March 3 (limited space)
Friday, April 21
Friday, May 12

The Friendly Chef in Hillsburgh (Erin)
Friday, February 17 (very limited space)
Saturday, March 4
Saturday, May 13


Read more and buy tickets.

23 February 2017

Amherst: Maritime School of Magic

From Cumberland News Now:
Although many think of the magician as having the top hat and jacket and tails, (Brian) Hebert practices and teachers what he calls impromptu magic, something that can be performed at any time and almost anywhere.

“All the stuff can be held in my pocket,” he said.

It’s something the amateur magician hopes to share through a new Maritime School of Magic he’s setting up in Amherst. He hopes to begin classes in early March and continue for one hour a week for eight weeks.

The classes are tailored for children ages eight to 10, but if there’s enough interest he will open classes for older children. Along with learning to perform magic, Hebert said, the children will learn a lot of skills they can use in their every day life.

Read more.

The Great Boomsky: Truro magician Isaac Willis

From The Chronicle Herald:
In the 1920s, a popular “professor” worked as a porter at the Truro train station. However this porter wasn’t a moonlighting academic.

Under the stage name of Professor Boomsky, he once mystified full houses at the world’s finest theatres. And before that, he worked at the White House.

Isaac Willis was born on Christmas Eve, 1879 in Alexandria, Va. By the age of two, he was living in Washington, D.C., where his father, a former cart driver, was a doorman at the White House. Eventually, Isaac joined his father, working there as a messenger boy.

By a twist of fate, Isaac caught the eye of Alexander Herrmann, a millionaire magician who lived a glamorous lifestyle befitting a modern-day rock star, complete with a yacht, private railcars, and a seaside mansion.

Herrmann, who often gave command performances for presidents and royalty, took notice of the charismatic Willis. In a flash, the White House needed a new messenger boy. The teen had signed on as Herrmann’s apprentice, assuming the role of Boomsky, the magician’s beloved stage assistant.

Read more.

21 February 2017

Will Zhang and Matt Stewart at TEDxUofT

From the Facebook page of TEDxUofT:

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20 February 2017

2017 Calgary Magic Circle Lecture Pass

From the Calgary Magic Circle:
If you don’t act on this, the Calgary Magic Circle is going to vanish.

Give it to me straight, doc. The Calgary Magic Circle has experienced dwindling participation at meetings and events for the past few years. People have their various reasons for not being a member, or not attending our regular meetings. I’m not going to get into that right now. Here’s the pressing issue…

Unless we get a major commitment of your attendance, the magic lecture series is going to be cancelled.

This is the tour that brings world champions and stars of magic like the legendary Michael Ammar, Spanish card master Dani DaOrtiz, children’s magic expert Danny Orleans, and many more to Calgary so they can share their magic, experience, and tricks of the trade. This tour is an opportunity for all Calgary magicians to grow in their art.

Right now we are in serious danger of losing it all.

It’s simple math. For the past three years the club has been losing money on every lecture. We’ve tried to keep ticket prices low, and affordable for our members. However, the cost of fees, flights and hotels for our guest presenters simply adds up far beyond ticket sales. The club has been scraping by on savings, subsidizing these events, but that source has dried up. Without immediate intervention, the well is dry and next year’s tour will be cancelled.

If you want the opportunity to get personal instruction from some of the best magicians in the world, you have to speak up now.

We need your commitment in order to sign on for the 2017 tour. The only way the CMC executive can sign the deal for next year is with your support for the ENTIRE year. Picking and choosing one or two lectures is not sustainable. To move forward, the only option is an annual lecture subscription.

With your support we have five more great lectures coming this year. To keep this amazing resource in Calgary, we’re asking you to make a commitment to all 5 lectures that will run from now until November.

Here’s what’s coming up
  • February 20th – Kenrick ICE McDonald
  • May 7th – Jon Allen
  • June 18th – 20th – “Silly Billy” David Kaye (Exact date TDB)
  • August 28th – Jörg Alexander
  • November 12th – Bizzaro (Exact date TDB)



Read more and buy pass.

19 February 2017

Bobby Motta in City Life

From City Life:
The magician places a large dice in my hand, then takes my wrists and gives them a shake.

“Now open your hand. What number is it?” he asks.

It’s six.

“You have no idea what’s going on, do you?”

I absolutely do not.

“Don’t worry about it. I do weird things sometimes,” he says. Then he dangles my watch in front of my face, which I hadn’t even realized was missing from my wrist. “And here’s your watch back, by the way.”


Read more.


From the City Life Twitter feed:



From the Facebook page of Project Four Public Relations:






18 February 2017

Murray's first USO tour

From iTricks:
Murray is joining Howard Blackwell and Dave Chandler for his first USO Tour. Read more on the Vegas News site.

Read more.

17 February 2017

Cambridge: Shawn Farquhar

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

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16 February 2017

Ottawa: Magic Monday - One Year Anniversary!

Early congratulations to Steven Lafond for his one year anniversary of Magic Mondays!

From Facebook:

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15 February 2017

Chris Mayhew's UK tour

From Chris Mayhew's Facebook page:
Attention all UK Magicians! I will be flying across the pond to visit your wonderful area for a 9 city lecture tour! If you live near any of these cities book the date in your calendar now, tell your magic friends, and come participate with me. As a special bonus I will be bringing my friend Luke Peters who is a wonderful Improv performer in Toronto, he will be giving a mini opening lecture on performing with confidence. See you March 1st - 17th everyone!



14 February 2017

Calgary: Derek Selinger helps Dreams Take Flight

See Derek in “The Gift” on March 10 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall.

From the Calgary Herald:
Local and internationally acclaimed illusionist Derek Selinger has been working on his show “The Gift” for the past 20 years, and will be performing his one-of-a-kind act in Calgary to raise funds for Dreams Take Flight Calgary, a non-profit that sends kids with physical, mental and medical disabilities on a special trip to Disneyland every year.

“There are pieces in this show that nobody on earth is doing. We’re really excited to put it on stage here in Calgary,” Selinger said. “It’s an opportunity for people not only to support Dreams Take Flight, but learn a bit about magic they do, too.”

Read more and buy tickets.



From 660 News:
Master illusionist Derek Selinger will create magic when he takes the stage at the Jack Singer Concert Hall next month to benefit Calgary children.

Selinger, a long-time volunteer for Dreams Take Flight, will be performing his new show “The Gift” with 100 per cent of the proceeds to go to the local not-for-profit.

Dreams Take Flight is a charity that takes children who have experienced some sort of physical, social or mental challenge to Disneyland for the day.

Read more.



13 February 2017

Montreal: Lee Asher lecture

From the Montreal Magic Jam:
Tues March 7th

Lee Asher is coming to town, and he’s going all out. He’s combining all his lectures into one super lecture for this special event. You’ll learn powerful pieces of magic such as:

– THE RIPPER: Visually rip a single playing card into the four Jacks
– WITNESS: A joker transforms into the selection inside a zip-lock bag while held by the audience
– THE TOUCH: Give anyone the power to win every card game
– THUNDERBIRD: Four aces dynamically appear at your fingertips
– VINO VERITAS: Audibly divine a selection using a glass of delicious wine
– THREE STYLIN: Multi-coloured poker chips visually fly from hand to hand
– DIVING BOARD DOUBLE: A stylish double lift that impresses even the most skilled
– ASHER TWIST: One at a time, four aces revolve face-up then face down again, delighting your audience each time it happens.
– plus much more.

Lee will also show (PERFORMANCE ONLY) some of the new things he has in the pipeline. So please join us on March 7th for an evening of fun.

PS This is an interactive event, so please make sure to bring a deck of cards with you.

Read more and buy tickets (early bird discount available).

12 February 2017

Michael Kras in Intermission magazine

From Intermission Magazine:
I get where they’re coming from; the buzz about my hometown hasn’t exactly been glowing in recent years. But Hamilton is going through a renaissance. We’re not “Steel Town” anymore. This little big city is a forty-five-minute drive down the 403 from Toronto; take that car another ten minutes off the highway and up James Street North, and a loud phrase painted across a stretch of sidewalk says it all: “Art is the new steel.”

Not too long ago, though, this wasn’t the case.

Read more.

11 February 2017

Mystery School Monday: Dai Vernon his life and magic

Earlier this week Jeff McBride dedicated Mystery School Monday to Dai Vernon his life and magic.

Go on over to Magical Wisdom and watch MSM-294 "Dai Vernon" with Jeff McBride Feb 6 2017.

10 February 2017

Teresa Midbo wins the Lotti Hemeon Award for Excellence

Congratulations Teresa!

From Murray Hatfield's Facebook page:


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For a glimpse into Teresa's magical talents, have a look at this video from last summer's show, "Unbelieveable" (also from Murray Hatfield's Facebook page).

09 February 2017

Breaking news from the 2017 Browser's Bash

Browser's Bash logo  
From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:
As if you needed another reason to attend this year's Browser's Magic Bash ... Well, we have a great one for you!

EUGENE BURGER!

Among all the other talent, it's our pleasure to announce that the foremost philosopher of magic, Eugene Burger will also join us for the day at this year's Bash.

Imagine spending the day with one of the world's most talented magicians who knows the secret of capturing the imagination of ANY audience. Eugene Burger plans to share his highly regarded and clearly successful approach to magic.






Calgary: WowFest Magic in McKenzie Lake

From WowFest Magic Arts Festival's Facebook event:

25 February Mckenzie Lake Community Association 

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08 February 2017

Hillsburgh: Magic and Martini

From James Alan's Facebook page:

Friday February 17.


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07 February 2017

Chilliwack: Cabaret of Wonders VI

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:

February 17, 2017

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06 February 2017

Alex Seaman, IBM Vice President

Congratulations Alex!

From Alex Seaman's Facebook page:

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05 February 2017

Murray and the top 3 most random tricks

From the Murray Magic YouTube channel:

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[via iTricks]

04 February 2017

Hamilton: McMaster's first ever magic show

Tuesday February 7th
Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL),
1280 Main St W
Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8


From Facebook:

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[via IBM Ring 49]

03 February 2017

Outerbridge Magic upcoming tour dates

Check out the Facebook graphic at the end of this post.  The Outerbridges will be touring China!  How exciting!

The Outerbridge Clockwork Mysteries website:
  • February 7, 2017 - The Magic Club of Winnipeg Lecture, Winnipeg, MB
  • February 9, 2017 - I.B.M. Ring 28 Lecture, Edmonton, AB
  • February 10, 2017 - Shell Theatre, Fort Saskatchewan, AB
  • February 11, 2017 - Horizon Stage Performing Arts Centre, Spruce Grove, AB
  • February 18, 2017 - Max Cameron Theatre, Powell River, BC
  • February 20, 2017 - Fraser Valley Magic Circle Lecture, Mission, BC
  • March 4, 2017 - Mount Elizabeth Theatre, Kitimat, BC
  • March 16, 2017 - Milton Centre for the Arts, Milton, ON
  • March 17, 2017 - Milton Centre for the Arts, Milton, ON
  • March 18, 2017 - The Roxy Theatre, Owen Sound, ON
  • April 1, 2017 - Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe, VT
  • April 10, 2017 - ACC Labrador West, Labrador City, NL
  • April 12, 2017 - Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL


From Ted and Marion Outerbridge's Facebook page:






02 February 2017

Thank you to our February 2017 Friends!

Thank you to John Smithman, John Harrison, Richard Lyn, Joan Caesar, and The Outerbridges, for being Friends of Canada's Magic!

It's good to have friends like you.
    



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01 February 2017

Wait! More artists announced for the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash

Browser's Bash logo  
From the Facebook group for the Browser's Den of Magic:

WAIT! THERE'S MORE???
More artists announced for the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash. That's right ... There are a lot more Bash artists!

Book your ticket today.
http://www.browsersden.com/bash

We'd like to share even more artists with you that will spend the entire day with us at the 2017 Browser's Magic Bash. Have you purchased tickets yet? If not, get yours before it's too late.

Along with great talent such as: Michael Ammar, Silly Billy, Chris Mysterion & Steffi Kay, Dick Joiner, Buck Macleod, Keith Brown, Luiz Castro, Scott Hammell, Rosemary Reid, Adam Grace, Aaron Fisher & Atsushi Ono - It's going to be an amazing day!

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO - EVEN MORE BASH ARTISTS:
Arthur Poon - The Cardician
Alex Boyer - The Power of Magic
Derick Finn - The Hidden Secret
Morgan Pierce - Mo' Better Magic
Al Grose - Classic Magic

We hope you'll join us. It's unlike any other magic experience around. You're going to love it!

Book your ticket today.
http://www.browsersden.com/bash

See you at the Bash on Saturday, April 1st, 2017!

Magical Hugs,
Jeff Pinsky, John Talbot & Lee Asher
Your faithful Browser's Magic Bash Team