Showing posts with label -BC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label -BC. Show all posts

12 October 2019

A(nother) peek behind the curtain with Richard Young

Upcoming Champions of Magic Canadian tour dates:
  • 12/8/19     Brandon, MB
  • 12/12/19   Ottawa, ON       <<<  ** recent addition **
  • 12/14/19   Oshawa, ON
  • 12/15/19   Laval, QC
  • 1/16/20     Saskatoon, SK    SaskTel Centre
  • 1/17/20     Regina, SK    Conexus Arts Centre
  • 1/26/20     Prince George, BC
  • 2/29/20    Rama, ON         <<<  ** recent addition **
Read more and buy tickets.


A peek behind the curtain with Richard Young border= 

You may remember the fabulous interview, "A peek behind the curtain with Young and Strange,"  from December of last year.  I was delighted to receive an invitation to take a second pass at an email interview with Richard Young (one half of Young and Strange) as part of a Champions of Magic promotion.

Many of you already know Young through his podcast, "The Magician's Podcast."  He's interviewed a handful of Canadians including Darcy Oake, Billy Kidd, and Greg Frewin.   Last June, Young aired an epic 100th (and final) episode, where he interviewed his magic idol David Copperfield.  The Magic Circle recently recognized the outstanding contribution to magic made by Young through his podcast.


From the Magicians' Podcast Twitter feed:






You've toured a number of countries.  Have you experienced anything specific about Canadian audiences in particular?
I think the shows we did in Toronto last Christmas were some of the best shows we have ever done in our six year history. We did so many shows back to back and it was really hard work however the enthusiastic audiences kept us going and our spirits high. I think enthusiasm and energy is what I notice specifically about the Canadian audiences.


Do you have any advice for touring magicians?
 
My top tip for other touring magicians is to buy more underwear, washing machines are hard to find on tour sometimes.
Do you have a favourite touring anecdote?
Touring with Champions of Magic has been the greatest adventure of my life. I remember arriving in North America with the show for the first time in September 2017 about to embark on our first US Tour, it was one of the most thrilling times of my life. I couldn’t believe we had finally made it to America, it had been secretly talked about for a couple of years and I was worried it might never happen. Two days after we arrived we threw out the first pitch at a Cleveland Indians game in front of 30000 people to help promote the show. It really felt like we had ‘arrived in that second.’



What interests do you have outside of magic?
 

I am a huge Musical Theatre fan, I saw both Come From Away and Hamilton last week here in the U.K, I can’t get enough of Come From Away it was the 4th time I have seen it, the London cast are extraordinary.

I also have a weird life long obsession with the Titanic Disaster and know an awful lot about it, from design and conception through to the inquiries that followed the sinking and also how the wreck was found in 1985. If you’re ever struggling to sleep, give me a call and I’ll talk you through Lord Mersey’s inquiry, it was an absolute cluster f**k.
What do you do to keep your performance fresh for both your audience and you?
The fact we are facing forward and talking to the audience as opposed to being in scene or play where we pretend the audience isn’t there means the interaction with the audience will help to keep it fresh night after night. There are a few exercises taught to us by our director which we do during long runs to make sure we are still ‘in the room’ while the show is going on. The same sort of techniques they teach to actors and musical theatre performers on Broadway who do the same role every night in the same theatres for sometimes a couple of years in a row.


If you could be endowed with the talent to take on any Broadway role past or present, who would you pick?
I fantasise about being Javert from Les Miserable quite a bit, however I think if I’m being honest with myself I probably suit Thernadier more. I think I would also be a good Monsier Firmin in Phantom too. 
Could Young play Javert?

Listen to Richard Young interview Andy Nyman in episode 85 and you be the judge.  (The whole interview is fabulous, but the Javert part in particular comes shortly after the 1:14 mark.)

Listen to what Irish tenor Killian Donnelly thinks. Donnelly recently appeared in a West End production of Les Mis as Jean Valjean. 
I know all the words to both parts already so if anyone is reading this looking to fill those parts let me know. I would drop Champions of Magic like a sack of s**t to be in either of those two shows,

this may seem in written published form as a kinda bizarre form of career suicide from Champions however I know Alex the producer of our show wouldn’t take offense to my remarks and if anything would encourage me too do it, he loves both shows as much as I do and would completely understand.
[Editor's note: We certainly hope Alex is as understanding as you say he is!]


Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If you haven’t seen Champions of Magic before, I do really think you’d enjoy spending an evening with us.

If you’re a magician, you won’t like everything you see, however I promise you will love some stuff and have a great time slagging off the stuff you didn’t, so you have nothing to lose, I hope to see you at one of the shows.



 


Thank you Richard Young of Young and Strange for making the time to answer more of our questions!

Catch the Champions of Magic on tour in Canada!


Upcoming Champions of Magic Canadian tour dates:
  • 12/8/19     Brandon, MB
  • 12/12/19   Ottawa, ON       <<<  ** recent addition **
  • 12/14/19   Oshawa, ON
  • 12/15/19   Laval, QC
  • 1/16/20     Saskatoon, SK    SaskTel Centre
  • 1/17/20     Regina, SK    Conexus Arts Centre
  • 1/26/20     Prince George, BC
  • 2/29/20    Rama, ON         <<<  ** recent addition **
Read more and buy tickets.

05 October 2019

A peek behind the curtain with Fernando Velasco

Upcoming Champions of Magic Canadian tour dates:
  • 12/8/19     Brandon, MB
  • 12/12/19   Ottawa, ON    TD Place    <<<  ** recent addition **
  • 12/14/19   Oshawa, ON
  • 12/15/19   Laval, QC
  • 1/16/20     Saskatoon, SK    SaskTel Centre
  • 1/17/20     Regina, SK    Conexus Arts Centre
  • 1/26/20     Prince George, BC
Read more and buy tickets.


A peek behind the curtain with Fernando Velasco 

I was delighted to receive an invitation to email interview Fernando Velasco, as part of a Champions of Magic promotion.  You may already know that Velasco was presented with the 2018 Junior Achievement Award at the Magic Castle earlier this year.







What is your first memory of magic?

I must have been around 7, and my dad (who lived in the US while i still lived in Mexico) took me a DVD from the US with a number of magicians on it. there i started to fall in love with magic.

I used to think "THAT is real magic" and would invite all my neighborhood friends to come over and watch this DVD with "REAL magic."

Who inspires you magically?
Mexican magician Joaquin Ayala, along with Copperfield, and naturally HOUDINI.


What would have been in store for you had you not caught the magic bug?  
Maybe if I could sing, a singer



Why do you think audiences are still drawn to escapes, sleight of hand, and illusion?
Magic still gives people a feeling of "wonder."


Who inspires you that is not a magician?
 

Mexican singer Alejandro Fernandez as it feels like he gives it all on stage every time.
What's special about Champions of Magic draws large audiences on 6 UK tours and 3 North American tours over the past 6 years?
There is nothing like a good magic show LIVE. Not on TV or online, BUT LIVE.



You've performed in many different countries. Have you experienced anything specific about Canadian audiences in particular?
They are up for the fun.


Do you have any pre-show rituals?
 
I sing, terribly but I try to sing.  As well as sometimes I watch live performances of my favorite singers/bands. I feel like I take on their energy for the show.
Do you have a favourite touring anecdote and / or advice for touring magicians?
Too many to tell!
 
(Sam) Strange and I often go urban exploring and that's fun.

Advice: Have fun on and off stage!




What interests do you have outside of magic?
 

Sports.
What do you do to keep your performance fresh for both your audience and you?
Doing little things to have fun with the other performers and crew on stage.  Like playing tag on stage (without the audience noticing anything) among other small things.


If you could be endowed with the talent to take on any Broadway role past or present, who would you pick and why? 
Aladdin.  Because I had a dream I played him!






What's your Canadian connection to magic?
I saw Greg Frewin's show last year.

Velasco also experienced, for his very first time, the magic of real snow in Toronto last December!


Thank you Fernando Velasco for making the time to answer our questions!



Catch the Champions of Magic on tour in Canada!




Upcoming Champions of Magic Canadian tour dates:
  • 12/8/19     Brandon, MB
  • 12/12/19   Ottawa, ON    TD Place    <<<  ** recent addition **
  • 12/14/19   Oshawa, ON
  • 12/15/19   Laval, QC
  • 1/16/20     Saskatoon, SK    SaskTel Centre
  • 1/17/20     Regina, SK    Conexus Arts Centre
  • 1/26/20     Prince George, BC
Read more and buy tickets.









29 September 2019

Rounding the Western rings in October 2019

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



CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- Club meeting.
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- Club meeting.
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- N/A.
Fraser Valley, BCIBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)- General metting.
- Third Monday magic.
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- N/A.
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)- N/A
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)  - N/A.


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

18 September 2019

Champions of Magic are coming back!

I was also lucky to score interviews in 2018 with two of the four acts in the show.  Have a read:
I had the privilege of seeing Champions of Magic with Kidlet last December. So. Much. Fun! You can read my random thoughts about their show here.


From the Champions of Magic:
  • 12/8/19     Brandon, MB
  • 12/14/19   Oshawa, ON
  • 12/15/19   Laval, QC
  • 1/16/20     Saskatoon, SK    SaskTel Centre
  • 1/17/20     Regina, SK    Conexus Arts Centre
  • 1/26/20     Prince George, BC
Read more and buy tickets.


From the Champions of Magic Facebook page:


17 September 2019

"The Lucky Dragon Tour" with Piff the Magic Dragon

From Piff the Magic Dragon:
OCT 10 THU - Casino Regina, Regina, SK
OCT 11 FRI - Casino Regina, Regina, SK
OCT 12 SAT - Gold Eagle Casino, North Battleford, SK
NOV 8 FRI - Sagebrush Theatre, Kamloops, BC
NOV 9 SAT - Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, BC

Read more and buy tickets.



With thanks to The Magic Demon for submitting this post idea. Submit your post idea here.

13 September 2019

Masters of Illusion Canadian dates for 2020

Check the Masters of Illusion website for cast information and additional show dates.


From Ticketmaster:

     March 2020 shows include:
  • Mar 18, 2020 - Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg, MB
  • Mar 19, 2020 - TCU Place, Saskatoon, SK
  • Mar 20, 2020 - Winspear Centre, Edmonton, AB
  • Mar 22, 2020 - Red Deer Memorial Centre, Red Deer, AB
  • Mar 23, 2020 - Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, AB
  • Mar 24, 2020 - Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC
  • Mar 25, 2020 - Royal Theatre, Victoria, BC



09 September 2019

Vancouver: Shawn Farquhar's "Hidden Wonders"

Hidden Wonders opened on September 8th.


From Hidden Wonders:
Hidden Wonders, the next edition of Shawn Farquhar’s Cabaret of Wonders, will premiere in the Fall of 2019 at an undisclosed location in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown. The concept, a speakeasy-style performance venue hidden behind a fake business facade, is part of a new trend in magic entertainment that focuses less on grand-scale illusions and more on intimate experiences that leave the audience awestruck and moved. Confirmed guests will only be given the address and password for the venue once their tickets have been purchased.

The seventy-five-minute magic experience will feature effects exclusively designed for the venue as well as several of the effects Shawn created to win the world championship and to fool Vegas’s Penn & Teller on their hit television show Fool Us.

Read more.



From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:



01 September 2019

Rounding the Western rings in September 2019

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



CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- Club meeting.
- Jonathan Levit lecture.
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- Club meeting.
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- Jonathan Levit lecture.
Fraser Valley, BCIBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)- Jonathan Levit lecture.
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- N/A.
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)- N/A
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)  - Jonathan Levit lecture.


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

18 August 2019

Magic at the 2019 PNE

This year's Pacific National Exhibition runs from August 17 to September 2.  Be sure to check out Ty Reveen in "Reveen: The Superconscious Experience" and Dick Joiner hosting "Abracadabark"!  (Of note, we saw David Acer host Abracadabark last Friday at the CNE and it's a really fun show.)


From the August 17th article "Tux-wearing Tyrone Reveen picks up at PNE where famous father left off" by Gordon McIntyre in the Vancouver Sun:
“This is an opportunity to implement some great special effects, some of which have never been seen before, that will blow people’s minds,” Ty Reveen said before beginning 15 nights of entertaining at the Pacific Coliseum during the PNE Fair.

“I do a few things in this show that will surprise even the people at the top levels of the magic industry.”

He’s followed in the footsteps of his famous father, who died in 2013, a couple of years after his son Ty took over the act.

Ty and his three brothers spent their early years in Chilliwack, West Vancouver and Richmond, their dad (yes he had a first name, Peter) having arrived in 1961 — “With literally five cents in his pocket,” Reveen le fils said.

The boys and their mother Coral later followed from their native Australia after the hypnotist had established himself.

Read more.


From the PNE website - Reveen:
Reveen: The Superconscious Experience

It’s the man they call Reveen! The legend continues with this mesmerizing and hypnotic show featuring high-speed memory demonstrations and mystical showmanship. Now Tyrone Reveen is following in his father’s footsteps and continuing the family tradition. The Superconscious Experience allows audience members to become the stars in one of the wildest and funniest shows that has left millions of people crying with laughter all over the world.  The legend continues, never forget Reveen.







Also from the PNE website - Abracadabark:
SuperDogs™️ presents Abracadabark. Prepare to be amazed, amused and bedazzled as the SuperDogs unleash their most magical show ever, Abracadabark! With a magician as your guide you’ll experience the magic of the SuperDogs like never before!





07 August 2019

Vancouver: 3 of Clubs 2019

Just announced, 2019 3 of Clubs convention will be held at the Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre!


From Eventbrite:
The 3 of Clubs Convention gets a new coat of paint in 2019 - restoring the original aim of the Vancouver Magic Circle’s long-standing “Weekend of Magic” to unite the magic community with education and excellence of internationally-renowned talent without breaking the bank!

The Vancouver Magic Circle is thrilled by the return of our very own Billy Hsueh and Alex Zander to spearhead this year’s convention once again. Ring 92’s last 3 of Clubs in 2016 at the “Pink Palace” in Surrey reinvigorated what a local convention could be, and they’re doing it again! But this time it’s even bigger, even better, and even cheaper!

We don’t know how.. but they’ve done it!
With an all-time low early-bird registration rate of only $75 for all 3 days (same early bird rate available to all 3 Clubs) our 2019 convention will be the most affordable in YEARS!
Read more and buy tickets.



From the 3 of Clubs Facebook page:



05 July 2019

Victoria: Lukas Stark

Catch Lukas Stark at the Victoria Buskers Festival July 3 – 7, 2019.


From Downtown Victoria:
LUKAS STARK

This “Mystery Entertainer” has trained his body and mind to perform incredible feats of magic, mentalism, and skill. Like a modern-day Sherlock Holmes he’ll get inside of your head, display his superhuman memory, turn an audience member into a body language detective, and last but not least reveal the childhood dreams of one lucky subject all while juggling knives and walking through broken glass.

Read more.

27 May 2019

Rounding the Western rings in June 2019

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



CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- Club meeting.
- Marcus Eddie lecture.
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- Marcus Eddie lecture.
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- Marcus Eddie lecture.
Fraser Valley, BCIBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)- Marcus Eddie lecture.
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- The Children’s Magician of theYear competition.
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)- N/A
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)  - Marcus Eddie lecture.


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

13 May 2019

Richmond: Vitaly Beckman

From the River Rock Casino:
Fresh off Broadway in New York City, Vitaly Beckman brings his latest and most ambitious production to the stage with An Evening of Wonders on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, to the River Rock Show Theatre.

Hailed as one of the most unique and innovative illusionists in the world, he stumped Penn & Teller on their hit TV show Fool Us

Combining breathtaking visuals with Vitaly’s captivating style, An Evening of Wonders is an interactive theatrical experience that takes the audience on a magical journey. Vitaly blends art and illusion where paintings spring to life, photographs become mini-movies, and audience members see their faces vanish from their own driver’s licenses.


Read more and buy tickets.



[With thanks to The Magic Demon for letting us know!]

03 May 2019

Chilliwack: Cabaret of Wonders XVI with Chris Funk

From the Chilliwack Cultural Centre:
May 17, 2019

World-champion magician Shawn Farquhar hosts the very popular Cabaret of Wonders gathering together a remarkable array of magicians!

This casual cabaret setting is a fabulous way to experience innovative acts, illusions, and more in a fantastical display of never-before-seen works and magical standards! Whether you’re a magic enthusiast or have dreams of bringing your own illusions to stage, the Cabaret of Wonders XII is a chance to see magic behind the scenes – and get up close and personal with the most talented performers from British Columbia and beyond.

Read more and buy tickets.



From Chris Funk's Facebook page:

29 April 2019

Rounding the Western rings in May 2019

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



CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- Club meeting.
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- N/A
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- N/A
Fraser Valley, BCIBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)- General meeting
- Originality competition
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- N/A
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)- N/A
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)  - Eric Bedard lecture
- BBQ and garage sale
- Mirth and Magic


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



15 April 2019

Chilliwack: Shawn Farquhar's Cabaret of Wonders XV

Catch Shawn Farquhar's Cabaret of Wonders on April 19th.

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page: A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.

31 March 2019

Rounding the Western rings in April 2019

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



CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- Jason Ladanye lecture
- Club meeting.
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- Jason Ladanye lecture
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- Jason Ladanye lecture
Fraser Valley, BCIBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)- Matt Johnson lecture
- Jason Ladanye lecture
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- MAGIC! with Ice McDonald
- Ice McDonald lecture.
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)- N/A
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)  - Jason Ladanye lecture


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

29 March 2019

Port Moody: MAGIC with Ice McDonald

From Eventbrite:
Sat, April 20, 2019

The Vancouver Magic Circle proudly presents "MAGIC with Ice McDonald", the latest production in a series of one-night only performances featuring world-class magicians from around the globe presenting their rarely-seen full gala show

Read more and register.


13 March 2019

Mission: Matt Johnson lecture

From the Fraser Valley Magic Circle:
Sunday April 7th

Matt Johnson is originally from the UK and now resides in Canada. Matt has been performing and perfecting his craft in the art of magic for more than 25 years.
Over the past 25 years he has literally traveled the globe performing in exotic locations such as Japan, Dubai, Argentina, Australia and throughout Europe. He has performed in theaters, on cruise ships and for many of the world’s largest companies including Mercedes, Norwegian Cruises, Ford, AT&T, Toyota and Microsoft to name just a few. He has been viewed in more than 60 countries, made headlines across the globe and in the last year alone has been viewed more than 70 Million times on YouTube!

Read more and buy tickets.


24 February 2019

Rounding the Western rings in March 2019

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



CityClubEvent(s)
Calgary, ABRing 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring)- Club meeting.
Edmonton, ABEdmonton Magic Club- N/A
Winnipeg, MBThe Magic Club of Winnipeg- SYM: Close-up contest
- SYM: Miniwands and Tophats
Fraser Valley, BCIBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring)- Gregory Wilson lecture.
Vancouver, BCRing 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)- N/A
Vancouver, BCSAM 95  (Carl Hemeon Assembly)- N/A
Victoria, BCRing 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)  - N/A


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