Showing posts with label # general. Show all posts
Showing posts with label # general. Show all posts

06 March 2024

Michael Kras in Intermission Magazine

From the March 1st article "Invisibility cloaks, cardboard rockets, and flying orbs of light: Here’s how Canadian theatre uses the art of magic" by Michael Kras at Intermission Magazine:

Cursed Child is hardly an isolated case for this hefty use of theatre magic. Plenty of prominent productions utilize magic design in considerable ways, including the current West End hit Stranger Things: The First Shadow (also featuring illusion design by Cursed Child’s Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher), which is already planning to hit more stages internationally, with little doubt that Canada will eventually be in the mix. Hit musical adaptations from the West End and Broadway like Back to the Future (illusions by Chris Fisher) and Beetlejuice (illusions by Michael Weber) are both slated for the forthcoming Mirvish subscription season.

Of course, a common thread here is that these are all imported, big-budget commercial properties. But the beautiful thing about magic is that a relentless spirit of ingenuity and creative problem-solving is far more important than a price tag. The entire job description is about making the impossible possible onstage, and the greatest magic is achieved by earthy, organic means rather than high-tech gadgets.

One such homegrown example is Young People’s Theatre’s Dora-winning The Darkest Dark, adapted by Jim Millan and Ian MacIntyre from Chris Hadfield and Kate Fillion’s book of the same name. Canadian conjuror David Ben – who also staged the effects in the Stratford Festival’s Grand Magic last season — was tasked with crafting magic that had a childlike spirit of play and imagination, with sophisticated, memorable illusions built from humble cardboard boxes. On a smaller-scale indie level, Eric Woolfe’s Eldritch Theatre is also known to regularly feature sleight of hand in their spooky seasons of plays. 

Read more.





24 January 2024

Paul Romhany awarded the 2024 AMA Literary and Media Fellowship

Congratulations on this honour Paul!  Well deserved.  Keep up the great work!

 

From the January 22nd Facebook post by Paul Romhany:

It's OFFICIAL - I am totally overwhelmed that I have been awarded the 2024 AMA (Academy of Magical Arts)  Literary and Media Fellowship. I'm still in shock to be honest. I will be in attendance at the awards ceremony to pick up this very prestigious honour in LA (Hollywood) --- I'm still waiting for them to call back and say they have made a mistake like the Oscars LOL. 2024 marks 13 years of VANISH - International Magic Magazine - what a way to celebrate.

 

 

 

 

15 January 2024

Short survey to help transform the Canadian Association of Magicians

We've heard from the CAM board that they also want to hear from Canadian magicians who aren't currently CAM members.  (Of course, they want to hear from CAM members too.)

Take the survey here:  https://www.cammagic.org/post/cam-survery-2024

 

From the January 13th Facebook post by Ryan Joyce:

 

 

 

 

08 January 2024

Lee Asher asks: Who was the first magician in Canada?

Lee shares his fascinating findings after exhaustively researching the question:  "Who was the first magician in Canada?"

 

From the article "Who was the first magician in Canada?" at Lee Asher's blog

It’s important to note that exploring this inquiry took me on an unexpected historical journey, revealing a crucial and overlooked detail. The magical practices of Indigenous shamans and medicine people, the original enchanters on Canadian soil, deserve credit and acknowledgement as the first magicians. A dedicated exploration of this topic in a future article is warranted. Yet, in this article's context, I emphasize the archetype of a Western-style conjuror, as initially envisioned.

Acknowledging that present-day Canada likely did not exist during this specific period, our focus adjusts to what was known as Upper and Lower Canada in the era of British North America.

Please allow me to introduce you to a handful of colonial conjurers without further ado.


Read more.

 

 

 

 

Penn and Teller Fool Us is casting for for Season 11

From the January 6th Facebook post by Lincoln Hiatt via Michael Close:

Big Announcement! Fool Us Season 11 casting kickoff in London January 12-14 at The Session! The Session is a top tier  convention run by Vanishing Inc. Or if you like, send your tricks to fooluscasting@gmail.com! You can also come see us at Magifest at the end of January in Ohio!

 

 

 

27 December 2023

FREE: Master the Memorized Deck with Michael Close

From the December 15th Facebook post by Michael Close:

Members! Master the Memorized Deck with Michael Close

We're thrilled to offer our members a new FREE resource from Michael Close – and if you're not a member yet, don't worry, joining is completely free!  

https://bit.ly/4amT2NN

This Practice Drill Sheet is perfect for magicians working with the memorized deck, helping you improve memory retention, customize your training, and track your progress.

Sign up as a member, download your free PDF, and watch your memdeck skills flourish! www.MichaelClose.com

 

 

 

 

 

23 December 2023

15 December 2023

Ian Stewart: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Twelfth in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Ian Stewart!

Ian Stewart: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Ian Stewart: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 



Ian has been contributing the the Halifax Magic Club for over 25 years. He links our small community to the wider world of magic because he is a professional performing at the international level. But despite all his very real street cred he is a humble, knowledgeable artistic goofball happy to sit with magicians of every stripe and share what he knows and learn from everyone.

Submitted by Bill Wood

 

 

You may recall that earlier this year Ian claimed the Guinness World Record for Most Magic Tricks Performed in a Minute.


Congratulations Ian!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Ian Stewart visit his website at IanAmazing.com and follow him on Facebook.


 

Thank you Bill, for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Bill Wood follow him on Facebook.








CAM Creators Contest is back in 2024!

We're running woefully behind so you may have already heard the big news that the CAM Creators Contest will be back in 2024!  First launched in the spring of 2021, this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your original magic trick to the world. The winning tricks will be released globally, complete with industry-standard royalties.  

Stay tuned at the CAM website as we look forward to their official announcement in the future!

Also mentioned in last month's round-up:

  • Canadian Conjurors Interview (Ryan Joyce interviews Nicole Lee)
  • A tribute to Micky Hades
  • David Copperfield's Announcement, and the
  • Question of the month!
     

CAM Members log into CAMmagic.org for more information.









14 December 2023

Rob Teszka: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Eleventh in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Rob Teszka!

Rob Teszka Inspirational Canadian Magician

Rob Teszka: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 



As host and organizer of The Parlour Magic Show, a monthly cabaret in the Vancouver area, Rob creates a space for magicians to be artists. He does this not for financial gain (and has the bar tabs to prove it!) but to showcase magic and magicians in the best light for real, live audiences. His organizational effort calls forth the tide which floats all boats creating better performances, lifting magicians, and fostering a public appetite for the good of magic.

Submitted by Ryan Pilling

 

 


Congratulations Rob!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Rob Teszka visit his website at RobTeszkaMagic.com or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (Rob Tezska) | Instagram (Parlour Magic Show).


 

Thank you Ryan, for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Ryan Pilling visit his website WOWRyan.com, sign up for his newsletter at MagicTipsAndTricks.com, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.








13 December 2023

Lee Asher: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Tenth in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Lee Asher!

Lee Asher: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Lee Asher: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 



Lee constantly gives back to the community. He's a sounding board for me and others working to elevate magic, encourages talent and is an invaluable resource for anybody who wants to know anything about playing cards. He doesn't sit on his laurels, and continues to be an integral part of the magic community.

Submitted by Derrick Chung

 

 


Congratulations Lee!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Lee Asher visit his website at LeeAsher.com or follow him on Instagram.


 

Thank you Derrick, for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Derrick Chung, visit his website at DerrickChung.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  








12 December 2023

Garnet Garven: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Ninth in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Garnet Garven!

Garnet Garven: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Garnet Garven: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 



Living in Saskatchewan gives you time to think. Like many Canadian magicians, being far from any hub of magic activity breeds an independent creativity. In February 2023 Garnet contributed his first solo Parade for The Linking Ring magazine which earned him an Award of Excellence. He quickly followed up with a second solo Parade in August 2023, and has nearly completed his third to appear very soon. I'm inspired both by his creative knack for finding new presentations, and his willingness to share the results with his fellow magicians.

Submitted by Ryan Pilling

 

 


Congratulations Garnet!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Garnet Garven visit his IBM Member profile.


 

Thank you Ryan, for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Ryan Pilling visit his website WOWRyan.com, sign up for his newsletter at MagicTipsAndTricks.com, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.








11 December 2023

Leif David: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Eighth in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Leif David!

Leif David: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Leif David: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 



I have been watching Leif David for a while now. He’s sickly talented and a great performer. He makes his own custom themed magic shows, He’s a spectacular graphic artist, website designer, knows how to use social media and most of all not scared to share parts of his show online to get feedback from other magicians.

Submitted by Brent Smith

 

 


Congratulations Leif!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Leif David visit BCMagician.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.


 

Thank you Brent, for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Brent Smith visit his website at BrentSmithMagician.com and follow him on Facebook.








10 December 2023

Scott Baird: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Seventh in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Scott Baird!

Scott Baird: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Scott Baird: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 



Scott has been super successful and yet remains somewhat under the radar - a Hermit if you will. His online magic magazine is fabulous and has had a successful printer run too and Scott has been gaining traction as a magic illustrator as well - providing illustrations for a few big named magic books of 2023!

Submitted by Gwyn Auger

 

 


Congratulations Scott!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Scott Baird and Hermit Magazine visit HermitMagic.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram (Scott) / Instagram (Hermit).


 

Thank you Gwyn, for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Gwyn Auger follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.








09 December 2023

Yannick Lacroix: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Sixth in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Yannick Lacroix!

Yannick Lacroix: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Yannick Lacroix: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 



After the unfortunate closing of both magic shops in Montreal during the Pandemic, Yannick decided to keep his magic school open and opened a new location in Montreal. Not only is he teaching magic almost every single day over there but he made sure that his location could be used for the magic club meetings and the lecture organised by the Montreal Magic Jam. He is really helping to keep the magic alive in Montreal.

Submitted by Mystery Magician



Watch Yannick perform with Marc Trudel and Michel Huot on the November 30th upload on the  France's Got Talent YouTube channel:



Listen to Michael Dardant interview Yannick and the rest of The Montreal Trio on the August 15th, 2023 edition of Something Up My Sleeve S02E8.

 

Congratulations Yannick!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Yannick Lacroix, visit his website at MagieStrale.com.  

 

Thank you to our anonymous Mystery Magician, for your excellent submission!








08 December 2023

Chris Gowen: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Fifth in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Chris Gowen!

Chris Gowen: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Chris Gowen: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 



I have been watching Chris Gowen since he had a job that he didn’t like, and watch as magic slowly took over his life. From doing shows locally, to creating shows for Fringe Festivals across Canada, to now doing cruise ships. He’s sickly talented and a great performer. I admire this young creative hard working magician.

Submitted by Brent Smith


 

 

Congratulations Chris!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Chris Gowen, visit his website at ChrisGowen.ca and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram.  

 

Thank you Brent, for your excellent submission!

To learn more about Brent Smith visit his website at BrentSmithMagician.com and follow him on Facebook.




2023 Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase

2023 Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase featuring (in order of publication):

Paul Romhany
  Alexandra 
 Derrick Chung
 Doug Hunt
 Chris Gowen

 
 





Richard Forget's Advent Calendar adventure!

Here are the first three days!  Follow along with Rich for the next couple of weeks on Instagram or Facebook!

 

From the December 2nd Instagram post by Richard Forget:

You got to love advent calendars. They’re usually filled with chocolate, but I found one that is filled with… Magic! I’m going to open one every day in December.  Then when it is finished, I’m going to give it to somebody as a gift in between Christmas and New Year’s day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07 December 2023

Doug Hunt: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Fourth in this year's Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase, is Doug Hunt!

Doug Hunt: Inspirational Canadian Magician

Doug Hunt: Inspirational Canadian Magician.
 
 

 

Doug had two people submit his name!


In spite of the personal and professional challenges Doug Hunt has endured through the nearly 40 years I have had the privilege of calling him my friend, I have never seen him without a desire to give back from his heart. He will tell you that he may not be the most talented magician you know, but I'm here to tell you that he is the most HUMAN magician you will ever meet.

Submitted by Peter Mennie



At age 67, Doug Hunt walked 16 steps at 55 ft high in the air, breaking a Guinness World Record. While most might break a record for their own ego; Doug does these amazing stunts to put a spotlight on his local community and raising awareness for local charities. Doug shows how we as entertainers can take our gift and make an incredible impact.

Submitted by Graeme Reed


 

ICYMI, have a read of Graeme's guest post about Doug's recent Guinness World Record breaking stilt walk!

 

Congratulations Doug!  Keep up the great work!

To learn more about Doug, visit his website at DougTheGreat.com and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram.  

 

Thank you Peter and Graeme, for your excellent submissions!

To learn more about Peter Mennie visit his website at PeterMennie.ca and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram.

To learn more about Graeme Reed visit his website at GraemeReedMagic.com and follow him on Facebook, and Instagram.



2023 Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase

2023 Inspirational Canadian Magician Showcase featuring (in order of publication):

Paul Romhany
  Alexandra 
 Derrick Chung
 Doug Hunt