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

20 May 2015

Welcoming a new Friend: John Smithman

Welcoming our newest Friend, John Smithman!

John is the Vancouver Magic Circle Membership Chair and an avid photographer.  In addition, he is also the founder of Champions in the Workplace Training & Development, an established workplace coach, trainer and author  of "Workplace Champion By Example."

John first became aware of Canada's Magic when I cross-posted his Magic Café request for information about Guy Stanley.  I'm happy to report that John has since been reunited with Guy!

Thank you John, for becoming an official Friend of Canada's Magic!





28 April 2015

Welcoming a new patron: Michael Fisher!

Welcome to our newest sponsor, Michael Fisher, aka The Amazing Corbin, aka Captain Corbin The Magical Pirate!



Based out of London, Ontario, Mike wows his audiences as "the charming cheat," The Amazing Corbin.  He also delights audiences with a humourous pirate themed show as "Captain Corbin the Magical Pirate"!

Additionaly, last month Mike received a a 2015 volunteer service award for five years of volunteering with Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario.

Watch Captain Corbin talk about his volunteer work with Make-A-Wish:

Ahoy Pirates! Here I am on television today talking about my fundraiser for Make a wish and performing a bit of magic. I...
Posted by Captain Corbin The Magical Pirate on Monday, 13 April 2015


You can sponsor Captain Corbin at the Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope website.

Thank you Mike, for your efforts towards giving back to your community through Make-A-Wish, and for your sponsorship of this website!



25 July 2013

Welcoming a new patron: The Browser's Den of Magic!

Welcome to our newest sponsor, Jeff Pinsky from The Browser's Den of Magic!




Len and Bernice Cooper opened The Browser's Den of Magic in Toronto in 1975.  Initially, it was a place to buy books, records, games, souvenirs, and it had a little area for magic in the front corner of the shop.  In time, Len dedicated the entire shop to magic and The Den became a "home away from home" for many magicians and enthusiasts.  Vintage Toronto has an old photo up on their Facebook page.

In 1984, the store moved from its Bay and Bloor location to Bathurst and Eglinton.  The Coopers retired from the magic store business in 1995 and handed over the keys to its current owner, Jeff Pinsky.  In 2011 The Den moved to its current home at 3220 Dufferin St. It is the Toronto's oldest brick and mortar magic shop!  (Let's face it, stuff like this will never happen when you're shopping online.)

Jeff first became interested in magic in the 1970s.  He owned and operated a magic shop at Canada's Wonderland for 14 seasons.   I first met Jeff when I joined Ring 17, back in 19 *mumble* *mumble*.  I remember him being warm and friendly, just as he is now!

You can read Jeff's posts at the Browser's blog where he writes about life, lectures and other musings.  One of my favourite posts dates back to May of this year, where he talks about how he "finds it interesting getting older."

The Den also has an active Facebook group and Twitter account.

On a visit to Browser's you are likely to see the smiling and helpful faces of Jeff's fabulous team:  Shawna Ross-York, Lisa Close and Dennis.

As part of Jeff's commitment to fostering excellence in the magic community, he initiated the Len Cooper Memorial Award in 2003.  This honour is awarded annually to a magician who is less than 25 years old and is serious about magic and shows potential to continue to strive in 'magic'.

Thank you Jeff, for your ongoing support of the magic community and for your sponsorship of Canada's Magic!

18 June 2013

Welcoming a new patron: Perfect Magic!

Welcome to our newest sponsor, Evelyn and Phil Matlin from Perfect Magic!


In Montreal in 1976, Perfect Magic was founded as a mail-order company run out of a basement, selling their own original products.  In short time, they grew out of their basement and into a retail property of their own.  They expanded their catalogue with more original products.  In 1979, they collaborated wtih C.W. Vermeys to launch the very first Magie Montréal convention!  Magie Montréal ran annually until 1998.

In the words of David Acer, "Today, Perfect Magic continues to be a highly respected manufacturer, distributor and retail outlet, supplying tricks and accessories to magicians around the world."

If you haven't already, check out their blog, Perfect Magic Then and Now, where Evelyn shares wonderful stories from her 30+ years of experience in the magic business.  If you keep tabs on their Facebook page or Twitter feed, you will be notified when new blog posts are up.

Did you know that Phil is also a professional ragtime piano player?  Browse through his YouTube channel! I enjoy both of his CD's, Ragtime Daze and Ragtime Magic.

I had the pleasure of meeting both Evelyn and Phil at this year's Spring CAM-JAM.  They are warm, and wonderful people!

Thank you Evelyn and Phil, for your constant support of the Canadian magic scene and your sponsorship of this website!



27 November 2012

Welcoming a new patron: Ryan Pilling





Welcome to our newest sponsor, Ryan Pilling!

Based out of Calgary, Ryan is not only a comedy magician, but he is also: a blogger, a designer, and an author!  Check out:

Playing Big -- Making magic out of tricks:
Ryan blogs about peformance observations and tips. He recently posted about "The Importance of Being Bad" and his post "If You Can't Say Anything Nice" is a topic that really resonates with me.

The Magic Assistant -- Gwyn Auger:
From Gwyn's website:
Gwyn Auger is a vivacious, creative woman who brings dedication and enthusiasm to every project she embarks on. Gwyn’s primary goal is to be a full time magician’s assistant, and as a trained dancer and professional model, she brings beauty and grace to any stage.  
Gwyn is an integral part of tongue-in-cheek horror show "A Brush With Death," which has taken Calgary by storm!
In my experience, Gwyn definitely has her finger on the pulse of the magical happenings in Calgary!

WowFest:
Back in October we first heard the news about Ryan's idea for Wowfest -- a Magic Arts Festival that he'd like to launch in Calgary.  In November he shared the exciting news that he received funding for the project!  Listen to Ryan interviewed on CBC's The Homestretch, talking about WowFest.

If you haven't already, go and "like" the WowFest Facebook page and then go to the WowFest website to subscribe to the project's newsletter.

Finding the Funny --  A Professional Entertainer's Guide to Improvisation, Ad-Libs, and Audience Interaction:
"Learn the techniques to creating inspired moments of comedy, and getting the best out of your audience volunteers."

"This guidebook will help the practiced magician, juggler, clown and other entertainers add the sparkle of spontaneity to their performances."
 
Thank you Ryan, for your efforts towards raising the profile of magic in Calgary, and for your sponsorship!

23 November 2012

Welcoming a new patron: The Fun-da-Mentalist!


Welcome to our newest sponsor, Clive Court, The Fun-da-Mentalist!

Clive's impressive career has taken him from England to Australia, New Zealand, the United States and lucky for us, Canada!  Some notable professional highlights include:
  • Performed in London's West End as a teenager.
  • "One of the best known magicians on Australian television." -- TV Week
  • Wrote and cast "A History of Mystery," the first hour-long TV magic special produced in Australasia.
  • Produced the TV magic special, "The Vanishing Art," shown on PBS.
  • Approached by Gene Gordon, to give his first lecture in Buffalo.
  • Developed the concept of the Canadian Telefilm Broadcast Fund.
  • Helped to develop Canada's first degree program in Public Relations.
  • Recently reinstated into the Magic Circle.

Currently, Clive performs as The Fun-da-Mentalist, "a cabaret entertainer who specializes in demonstrations of mind-bending magical experiences."

If you haven't already, read Clive's full biography.  It is fascinating!  (It may be that Clive is responsible for my introduction to Monty Python's Flying Circus via PBS.)

Thank you Clive, The Fun-da-Mentalist, for your tireless efforts towards the improvement of Canadian Television and your sponsorship of this website!







15 June 2012

Welcoming a new patron: Magic Information Canada


Welcome to our newest sponsor, Magic Information Canada!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Magic Information Canada, it is a fabulous repository of links helpful to Canadian magicians.  Established near the end of the 1990s, the site has fabulous lists of Canadian magic:
  • shops (complete with contact information, map location, and identification of whether it's a virtual or bricks and mortar shop)
  • clubs,
  • tutors (lists of those willing to teach individuals and / or groups) and
  • events (location, price and contact information are provided). 
I especially like the events section, which primarily includes lectures and workshops, because the events are listed sorted by date and are also entered into Google Calendar!

The site is maintained by magic enthusiast Doug Cuff from Ottawa, Ontario.  Doug is proud of the fact that he has attended every CAMaraderie since 2001.  (That's eight in total!)  In his own words, he's "downright smug about it."

Thank you Doug, for all of the work you put into the Magic Information Canada website and for your sponsorship!