Our next Free Magic Club Meeting is this Saturday December 7 from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. All welcome!
Showing posts with label -ON. Show all posts
Showing posts with label -ON. Show all posts
06 December 2019
Toronto: Free magic club
From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:
05 December 2019
Doug Hunt at Brantford Lights
Check out these awesome photos of multiple Guinness World Record holder Doug Hunt from his time last week at Brantford Lights opening night.
Doug Hunt developed this stilt character to help them celebrate. The back pack is a music system that played sci fi special effects music and sounds.
Magic arts come in all different forms!
Brantford Lights at Glenhyrst runs until January 1, 2020 at Glenhyrst Art Gallery.
Doug Hunt developed this stilt character to help them celebrate. The back pack is a music system that played sci fi special effects music and sounds.
Magic arts come in all different forms!
Brantford Lights at Glenhyrst runs until January 1, 2020 at Glenhyrst Art Gallery.
02 December 2019
Michael Kras: Playwright-in-Residence
From Michael's Instagram:
I’m VERY excited to officially announce that I’ll be the 2019/2020 Playwright-in-Residence at @roseneath!
I’ll be spending much of the next year developing my new play, The Boys, with Roseneath’s invaluable expertise and resources.
Endless thanks to Roseneath Theatre and Andrew Lamb for giving me and my play a home this season, and to the @ontarioartscouncil for their generous support of the residency. I can’t wait to get started!
01 December 2019
Rounding the Central rings in December 2019
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.
| Montreal, QC | Ring 62 (20th Century Ring) | - N/A. |
| Hamilton, ON | Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) | - Christmas treats. Club provides Christmas goodies. Members perform 2- 3 tricks. Bring family and friends. |
| London, ON | Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild) | - Show by Keith O'Brien. |
| Kitchener, ON | Ring 235 (KW Magic Society) | - Holiday banquet. |
| Ottawa, ON | Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) | - N/A. |
| Ottawa, ON | Ottawa / Gatineau magicians | - N/A |
| Toronto, ON | Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) | - TBA |
Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.
26 November 2019
Toronto: Majinx at Casa Loma
From the Instagram of Majinx:
We are busily putting the finishing touches and rehearsing our new holiday program for @casalomatoronto in Toronto. Join us for a magical adventure Dec1-Jan 5th!
21 November 2019
Toronto: Steve Valentine with The Illusionists Magic of the Holidays
From TicketMaster:
From Steve Valentine's Instagram:
Toronto: January 1-5
Celebrate the holidays with the entire family at The Illusionists - Magic of the Holidays, a mind-blowing showcase featuring jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
Read more and buy tickets.
From Steve Valentine's Instagram:
19 November 2019
London: Magic at the Marienbad (Dec 12)
From the Magic at the Marienbad Facebook page:
Back by popular demand, That Magic Guy Peter Mennie! Featuring the magic of Al Grose.
12 November 2019
Toronto: Mark Strivings lecture
From the Northwest Ring of Fire:
November 20, 2019 - Toronto, ON
7:00 PM
Browser's Den of Magic
3220 Dufferin St.
Toronto, Ont. M6A 2T3
Read more.
08 November 2019
Ontario: Outerbridge Clockwork Mysteries
From Ted Outerbridge:
- November 30, 2019 Rose Theatre, Brampton, ON
- December 31, 2019 Oakville Centre, Oakville, ON
- January 10, 2020 Imperial Theatre, Sarnia, ON
Read more and buy tickets.
03 November 2019
Rounding the Central rings in November 2019
Updated November 4th to reflect Ring 235 is known as the "KW Magic Society."
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
| Montreal, QC | Ring 62 (20th Century Ring) | - N/A. |
| Hamilton, ON | Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) | - Buck Mcleod lecture. |
| London, ON | Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild) | - Flea circus. - Mike Fisher |
| Kitchener, ON | Ring 235 (KW Magic Society) | - Round Table Discussion. |
| Ottawa, ON | Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) | - N/A. |
| Ottawa, ON | Ottawa / Gatineau magicians | - N/A |
| Toronto, ON | Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) | - The Magic Lab (panel: Glenn Ottaway, David Peck, and Mike Carbone) |
Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.
02 November 2019
A(nother) peek behind the curtain with Sam Strange
Upcoming Champions of Magic Canadian tour dates:
- 12/8/19 Brandon, MB
- 12/12/19 Ottawa, ON
- 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
Read more and buy tickets.
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 Sam Strange (the taller half of Young and Strange) as part of a Champions of Magic promotion.
Many of you know that Strange orchestrated a most wonderful surprise last June for Richard Young and The Magicians' Podcast.
You've toured a number of countries. Have you experienced anything specific about Canadian audiences in particular?
That run of shows we did in Toronto (in December 2018) is generally considered by the cast to be some of the best shows we have ever done, with some of the best audiences we have ever performed to. That maybe in part due to the perfect theatre for the show and at Christmas time when everyone is in a great mood anyway. Young and I did have to evolve the humour and delivery for our act for American audiences, but it does seem that the Canadian audiences sense of humour is a little more aligned with the British.
What interests do you have outside of magic?
The 2 interests I’m about to list don’t do my reputation any favours.
Manmade underground structures.
Included in that are tunnels, bunkers and mines. Specifically NOT caves. As we all know, caves are dull.
Prisons. Difficult to articulate why or how those interests have come about it. If I were a betting man (which Young will testify is the case) I would say it’s the human history and sinister nature of both. Prisons are renowned for the evil held within and most places built underground are not for the living.
I am mindful that this answer has given good ammunition in the next round of off stage ribbing from other cast members.
The 2 interests I’m about to list don’t do my reputation any favours.
Manmade underground structures.
Included in that are tunnels, bunkers and mines. Specifically NOT caves. As we all know, caves are dull.
Prisons. Difficult to articulate why or how those interests have come about it. If I were a betting man (which Young will testify is the case) I would say it’s the human history and sinister nature of both. Prisons are renowned for the evil held within and most places built underground are not for the living.
I am mindful that this answer has given good ammunition in the next round of off stage ribbing from other cast members.
What are your thoughts on touring life?
If you ever get the chance to be a part of a touring show on the scale of Champions of Magic, take it.
It’s an insane experience when I reflect on it. There's a cast and crew of 14 people all travelling together, who are all passionate about magic, who are all decent people and who are all as invested in the show as anyone else It’s constantly peppered with euphoric highs. As you can imagine, the show is the focus and pretty much all conversations outside of the theatre relate in someway back to the show. I think it’s important to have a bit of escapism from time to time and respect other peoples space when they need it.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
As it’s a mixed bill of magicians, it’s always important to get the best response from the audience. I often perform a routine of sabotage on the other magicians props. It’s enormously helpful to making our act peacock ahead of the others and subsequently helps to prop up my misplaced ego.
As it’s a mixed bill of magicians, it’s always important to get the best response from the audience. I often perform a routine of sabotage on the other magicians props. It’s enormously helpful to making our act peacock ahead of the others and subsequently helps to prop up my misplaced ego.
What do you do to keep your performance fresh for both your audience and you?
As a double act we are fortunate because we can be a catalyst for each other during the performance. If I feel Young’s delivery or energy dip during the performance (or vice versa) we can pick each other up, feeding from each others enthusiasm. I also find that putting the ‘work’ into perspective really helps. [Last December's 17 day run of] 41 shows sounds impressive and tiring, but I’m not at a coalface and I am living my dream. The least I can do to sustain that is to look engaged and interested while on stage.
If you could be endowed with the talent to take on any Broadway role past or present, who would you pick?
My hands are tied. This is an interview for Canada's Magic and it’s important to do everything I can to win you round.
Therefore my answer can only be Doug Henning.
Fortunately not only is that a politically astute answer, but it’s also pretty true. The vibrancy, colour and pure joy of his act would be so much fun to do.
[Editor's note: Truly a terrific answer. AND it shares internal consistency with last December's interview. Well done!]
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
On a personal level, I love being a part of the Champions of Magic show. In buying a ticket and coming to support the show you are allowing me, and many other people I tour with, to live their childhood dreams. Think of it as a charity and spread the word for the next run of Canadian shows.
Thank you Sam Strange 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
- 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
Read more and buy tickets.
28 October 2019
Ontario Week of Wonder recap
With thanks to Joan Caesar for sending us updates and photos from the first Ontario Week of Wonder!
Congratulations to everyone involved. It looked like a fabulous event.
Special congratulations to Joan, who received a special Lifetime Achievement Award at the Saturday night gala show.
(Click on each photo to see at full size)
Congratulations to everyone involved. It looked like a fabulous event.
Special congratulations to Joan, who received a special Lifetime Achievement Award at the Saturday night gala show.
(Click on each photo to see at full size)
[2/2] At the end they gave @paulromhany a birthday cake which we shared. Tonight’s Gala show will be an outstanding all Canadian show w/ Lucy Darling, (@CarisaHendrix is winner of comedy award in Melbourne Australia 2 yrs running) @jay_sankey @nickwallacelive & @GregFrewinMagic pic.twitter.com/kBY14CRIHf— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 25, 2019
[2/3] More from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 26, 2019
The Gala Show and close up were wonderful, both full of excellent magic and humour. Quite the night!@jay_sankey@GregFrewinMagic@OWOWMagicFest#OWOWfestival #owow pic.twitter.com/JP1j10BaGq
[3/3] More from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 26, 2019
The Gala Show and close up were wonderful, both full of excellent magic and humour. Quite the night!@CarisaHendrix@paulromhany@MikeCloseMagic@OWOWMagicFest#OWOWfestival #owow pic.twitter.com/9oMyXvUn8X
[2/3] Saturday afternoon from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 27, 2019
... public children’s show staring Peter Mennie and Owen Anderson, @petermennie@OwenTAnderson@OWOWMagicFest#OWOWfestival #owow pic.twitter.com/GJIuEKyhwU
[3/3] Saturday afternoon from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 27, 2019
... with stilt walker Doug Hunt. Afternoon lecture by Michael Close.@OWOWMagicFest#OWOWfestival #owow pic.twitter.com/tMgBJyRMsc
[2/4] Saturday gala photos from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):@OWOWMagicFest#OWOWfestival #owow pic.twitter.com/o4hNoVdHCY— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 27, 2019
[4/4] Saturday gala photos from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):@paulromhany@OWOWMagicFest#OWOWfestival #owow pic.twitter.com/jBZz2GSVN3— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 27, 2019
26 October 2019
A(nother) peek behind the curtain with Alex McAleer
Upcoming Champions of Magic Canadian tour dates:
- 12/8/19 Brandon, MB
- 12/12/19 Ottawa, ON
- 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
Read more and buy tickets.
You may remember the wonderful interview, "A peek behind the curtain with Alex McAleer," from December of last year. I was delighted to receive an invitation to take a second pass at an email interview with McAleer as part of a Champions of Magic promotion.
If you haven't already, check out his YouTube channel where he hosts his series Mind Games in addition to his Champions of Magic tour vlog.
What do you do to keep your performance fresh for both your audience and you?
Although my act has a solid structure, each show is different as the audience play a big part in deciding what happens, whether they know it or not. So it becomes a bit like improv for me. That helps to keep it fresh, but I always try to keep my energy and enthusiasm up for each and every audience because it might be 1000th time I’ve done the show but for them it’s their first time seeing it.
Although my act has a solid structure, each show is different as the audience play a big part in deciding what happens, whether they know it or not. So it becomes a bit like improv for me. That helps to keep it fresh, but I always try to keep my energy and enthusiasm up for each and every audience because it might be 1000th time I’ve done the show but for them it’s their first time seeing it.
You've toured a number of countries. Have you experienced anything specific about Canadian audiences in particular?
Canadian audience have the North American enthusiasm like crowds in the U.S. but feel a bit more like the audiences back home in the UK in terms of their sense of humour.
Do you have any advice for touring magicians?
Advice for touring magicians...
- Travel light.
- Don’t use a roller bag. They can never fit them all in the overhead bins on a flight.
- Save locations like coffee shops, stores, restaurants, whatever, on Google maps so when you go back again for more shows or whatever, you’ve got a list of your favourite locations.
- Take time to see things the town or city is known for. Ask a local, especially Uber drivers.
- If you find good WiFi somewhere, use it wisely - download films, books, podcasts, whatever you need. You’ll regret it later if you don’t.
- Steal all the free toiletries from hotels. They might come in handy on the road, or make disappointing gifts for people you don’t like very much.
- Have something to do in the downtime. Usually I’m editing a tour vlog, or writing up some new ideas. Kayla and Young both have podcasts. [Editor's note: podcasts are Shezam Pod and The Magicians' Podcast respectively.]
What interests do you have outside of magic?
Film. Art. Cooking. Gym. Laughing. Anthropomorphising inanimate objects. Not always in that order.
Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals?
Film. Art. Cooking. Gym. Laughing. Anthropomorphising inanimate objects. Not always in that order.
Not really as I’m not at all superstitious. However, I always brush my teeth before a show but that’s more of a courtesy to participants that join me on stage and makes me smile more on stage.
If you were to ask the others what McAleer likes to do pre-show they’d say get ready ridiculously early; costume and mic on, ready to go, long before I need to.
If you could be endowed with the talent to take on any Broadway role past or present, who would you pick?
Something from ‘Into The Woods’ ... maybe doubling up as the Wolf and one of the Princes as they get the songs that would be most fun to perform.
Those are fun parts! You can't go wrong with Sondheim.
Thank you Alex McAleer for making the time to answer our questions.
Catch the Champions of Magic on tour in Canada!
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
- 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
Read more and buy tickets.
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