Showing posts with label Darcy Oake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Darcy Oake. Show all posts

27 December 2015

Darcy Oake at London's New Year’s Day Parade

The lucky audience in Winnipeg got to see this stunt performed!

From the Evening Standard:
Escapologist Darcy Oake is set to attempt the “pinnacle of his career” at the New Year’s Day Parade in London.

Oake, 28, will be suspended with a box locked on his head filled with water. With his hands tied and on one gulp of air he will try and pick locks to escape. 
Writing on his Facebook wall, Oake said the stunt, which he performed for the first time at the end of his 2015 tour on December 5, was "Single handedly the most dangerous thing I've ever done in my life".

Read more.

05 December 2015

Darcy Oake's TV special

From Clive Court's Facebook page: [editor's note: emphasis mine]
CBC-TV have scheduled Darcy Oake's ITV special Edge of Reality for 9pm. on December 10. Thanks to everyone who pitched the TV network bosses last year---we have a TV magic special starring a Canadian illusionist (Is the the first since Doug Henning in the mid-70s?)*. Now the important thing is to do whatever we can to get it big ratings (you can't rely on the CBC to do a good promotional job for a magic special because they do not like magic or magicians on TV). So Canadian magicians have to make the most of this opportunity. So my advice to Canadian magicians is contact your friends in print and radio (eg. CBC morning/afternoon radio shows) to do what you can to promote the show. If it gets a poor ratings---they will have the best excuse not to run another TV magic special. This is your chance to make a difference.

* I'm talking about the CBC-TV English Network (The French TV Network enjoys working with Canadian entertainers including magicians like Luc Langevin)


Darcy Oake in the news:

13 November 2015

Darcy Oake in the news

Updated at 13:43 EST to add:

  • At tomorrow's show in Toronto, there will be a free pre-show conversation with Magic Mike the 2013/2014 Canadian Magician of the Year! The pre-show is approximately 30 minutes in length and will begin at 6:30PM in the lower lobby. Seating is limited and will be available to the first 250 guests. 



A reminder that there's a coupon code you can use to see Darcy's show tomorrow in Toronto.

From the Toronto Sun:
For Darcy Oake, the magic started early. And by accident.

The Winnipeg-born illusionist who vaulted to fame on Britain’s Got Talent last year says his father — veteran sportscaster Scott Oake — inadvertently set him on his career path with a fluke card trick some two decades ago.

“My dad knows zero magic,” explains the 28-year-old Oake. “But there was a deck of cards sitting there and he was just playing with it. He said, ‘Pick one, look at it and put it back in the pack.’ Then he shuffled the cards, reached into the pack, pulled one out and said, ‘That was your card.’ And it was my card!

“I had no idea how he did it. It drove me crazy — until I found out weeks later it was a total accident. He had a one-in-52 chance of getting it right, but played it like he meant to do it. It captivated me — being fooled like that. That’s where it all started for me. Who knows how things would have turned out if that trick hadn’t worked.”

Read more.



From the Globe and Mail:
He’s a Canadian illusionist who appeared – suddenly, right before our eyes – on the world stage. In advance of the upcoming Ontario dates of his cross-country Edge of Reality tour, we spoke to magic man Darcy Oake.

You were a finalist in the 2014 season of Britain’s Got Talent. How did that come about?

They approached me to do the show. I was doing a spot in a variety show in Paris, and I was working a lot on cruise ships. Artistically, it was unsatisfying. But doing Britain’s Got Talent could have been risky. I didn’t want to get there and get buzzed off and ruin everything I’d built up to that point. But they assured me that my style would fit the show perfectly. I went and did it, and it turned out to be the smartest thing I ever did.

But you’re from Winnipeg. Did you pull a British passport out of a hat or something?

Anyone can do any of those talent shows. It’s open. Their show is the biggest one, though. I thought: if I’m going to do one, it’s going to be that one.

Read more.

14 October 2015

Darcy Oake on CBC's "Q"

A reminder to enter by October 17th, our contest to win Darcy Oake's book and tickets to his show, "Edge of Reality," in Toronto.  Our readers also have access to a coupon code for Darcy Oake's, "Edge of Reality" in Toronto.

From CBC Radio:
As children, many of us fall in love with magic — but growing up often means giving up on the illusion.

Not so for Darcy Oake, who quietly trained for years before getting his big break on Britain's Got Talent. After wowing the talent show audience, Oake's life changed in a matter of days, and hasn't stopped since.

Today he joins Shad to discuss the dimly-understood craft of magic as well as his new book, Beyond the Illusion. He also opens up about how his brother's death affected him as both an artist and a person.
Read more and listen to the interview.

10 October 2015

Toronto: Win Darcy Oake's book and tickets to his show, "Edge of Reality," in Toronto

This contest is now closed.  The winner is announced at "Winner of Darcy Oake tickets and book."

Four contests in four weeks! We are on a roll!

I am excited to announce that I have one more pair of tickets to give away to my readers, to attend Darcy Oake's show, "Edge of Reality" at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, November 14, 2015.  If that wasn't fabulous enough, I have also been offered a copy of Darcy's new book, "Behind the Illusion: Unlocking the 9 Types of Magic," to give to the lucky ticket winner!



Darcy Oake has become a global sensation since his 2014 appearances on UK’s hugely successful television competition Britain’s Got Talent where he surpassed thousands of contestants to land among the show’s top ten finalists and win over 200 million viewers of the program worldwide. Check out his amazing audition video here.



CONTEST:

I have been offered one pair of tickets to see Darcy Oake's show, "Edge of Reality" at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, November 14, 2015.  The seats are Orchestra Level (ground floor), Row M, valued at $55 per ticket.  The prize also includes a copy of Darcy's new book, "Behind the Illusion: Unlocking the 9 Types of Magic." The draw results will be posted on Sunday October the 18th.

I will be holding a random draw to determine the winner.  (There will be one winner.) 

To enter:
  1. Log into the RaffleCopter widget below, using Facebook or a valid e-mail address.
      
  2. Mandatory: Leave a comment in the widget, telling me your favourite magic book.  (You do not need to be a magician to enter the contest.  Your favourite magic book could be "Harry Potter.")
      
  3. Optional: For an additional entry, use the RaffleCopter widget to send this message to your Twitter followers:
    "Enter by Oct 17 to win "Behind the Illusion" by @DarcyOake & 2 tix to his TO show at SonyCentreTO via @canadasmagic.
    http://canadasmagic.blogspot.com/2015/10/toronto-win-darcy-oakes-book-and.html"
      
  4. If you win, you must be willing to provide your full name and contact information for me to share with the Sony Centre, so that the Sony Centre can arrange for ticket pick up.

The fine print:
  • To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.
  • One entry per person.
  • This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, excluding residents of Quebec. (Je m'excuse!)
  • This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
  • If you experience difficulties leaving a comment, you may e-mail it to me for posting.  (I am not responsible if your e-mail is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.)
  • You must be able to use the prize as offered.  (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
  • Transportation to/from Toronto and accommodations will not be provided.
  • Photo ID will be required to claim the tickets.
  • The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
  • Contest closes on Saturday October the 17th, 2015 at 11:59pm EDT.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


With thanks to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for generously making these tickets available to you! 


30 August 2015

Darcy Oake on BBC's "The One"

A reminder that Darcy's Canadian tour kicks off October 31st in Halifax and that there's a coupon code available for his Toronto performance.

From ET Canada:
It's not often London is brought to a standstill, but that's exactly what happened when Canadian Illusionist Darcy Oake performed a death-defying stunt at the BBC.

Oake managed to escape from a box in less than a minute before it dropped 30-feet to the ground, a stunt that's being called "the largest illusion ever performed on the BBC Broadcast House." 
Read more.

Watch the stunt on YouTube:





[via iTricks

16 July 2015

Last day to enter!

Today is the last day to enter!  The odds are still looking really good for winning a pair of tickets to see Darcy Oake in Toronto!

If your entry was disqualified, you still have time to fix it.

Good luck everyone!


Current contest entries:


#DateName
12015-06-29James Alan
22015-06-29Durgy Spade
32015-06-29Mike D'Urzo
42015-06-29Mike Segal
52015-06-29Phil DC
62015-06-29Willson Wong
72015-06-29Dan McLean Jr
82015-06-29Ken McCreedy
92015-06-29Jason Maiuri
102015-06-29Ray Xu
disqualified (no contact info)2015-07-09derek johnston
112015-07-09Doug C
122015-07-09John Harrison
132015-07-11Jon Paris



11 July 2015

Great odds of winning! Less than a week to enter.

At present, the odds are looking really good for winning a pair of tickets to see Darcy Oake in Toronto!

If your entry was disqualified, you still have time to fix it.

Less than one week to enter.  Good luck everyone!


Current contest entries:


DateName
12015-06-29James Alan
22015-06-29Durgy Spade
32015-06-29Mike D'Urzo
42015-06-29Mike Segal
52015-06-29Phil DC
62015-06-29Willson Wong
72015-06-29Dan McLean Jr
82015-06-29Ken McCreedy
92015-06-29Jason Maiuri
102015-06-29Ray Xu
disqualified (no contact info) 2015-07-09derek johnston
disqualified (no contact info)2015-07-09DG
112015-07-09John Harrison

02 July 2015

Coupon code to see Darcy Oake's show,"Edge of Reality," in Toronto

You may already be aware that the amazing people at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts have provided one pair of tickets to give away to my readers, to attend Darcy Oake's show, "Edge of Reality."

They have also created a coupon code for all of you to use!

Friends, fans and followers of Canada’s Magic can use code 1DOVE to save 15% on tickets* to see Darcy Oake’s Edge of Reality tour at the Sony Centre. Tickets can be purchased online via sonycentre.ca or by calling 1-855-872-SONY(7669)
 

* Please note, the code is not available on premium seats.

With thanks to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for generously making this coupon code available to you! 


29 June 2015

Win tickets to see Darcy Oake's show,"Edge of Reality," in Toronto

This contest is now closed. The winner has been announced!




I am excited to announce that I have been offered one pair of tickets to give away to my readers, to attend Darcy Oake's show, "Edge of Reality" at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, November 14, 2015.

Darcy Oake has become a global sensation since his 2014 appearances on UK’s hugely successful television competition Britain’s Got Talent where he surpassed thousands of contestants to land among the show’s top ten finalists and win over 200 million viewers of the program worldwide. Check out his amazing audition video here.

I will be holding a random draw to determine the winner.  (There will be one winner.)  The seats are Orchestra Level (ground floor), Row L, valued at $55 per ticket. The draw results will be posted on Friday July the 17th.


To enter:
  1. Leave a comment on this post, telling me your favourite stage illusion (to perform or to watch).  (You do not need to be a magician to enter the contest.  Your favourite could be "whatever Darcy does when we see his show!")
      
  2. Leave your name, along with a way that I may contact you (e-mail address, phone number, website, Twitter handle etc.) so that I can notify you if you win.
      
  3. If you win, you must be willing to provide your full name and contact information for me so that the Sony Centre can arrange for ticket pick up.

The fine print:
  • To participate in the contest, you must be 18 years of age or older.
  • One entry per person.
  • This giveaway is open to Canadian residents, excluding residents of Quebec. (Je m'excuse!)
  • This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
  • If you experience difficulties leaving a comment, you may e-mail it to me for posting.  (I am not responsible if your e-mail is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.)
  • You must be able to use the tickets as offered.  (No cash value will be offered if you cannot use the tickets.)
  • Transportation to/from Toronto and accommodations will not be provided.
  • Photo ID will be required to claim the tickets.
  • The odds of winning depend on how many people enter the contest.
  • Contest closes on Thursday July the 16th, 2015 at 11:59pm EDT.


With thanks to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts for generously making these tickets available to you! 


24 June 2015

19 June 2015

Darcy Oake's Canadian tour

From the CBC:
Darcy Oake, a Winnipeg illusionist who shot to fame overseas last year, will visit his hometown as part of a Canadian tour later this year.

The 27-year-old son of Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster Scott Oake wowed judges and audiences on Britain's Got Talent in the spring of 2014, despite coming in fifth place.

Since the show aired, Darcy Oake has performed around the world, starred in a television special in the United Kingdom and released a book about classic illusions.

Oake's Winnipeg show will be the last stop on the Canadian leg of his Edge of Reality world tour. The Canadian dates are:

Oct. 31: Halifax — Casino Nova Scotia.
Nov. 2: Fredericton — The Playhouse.
Nov. 4: Charlottetown — Confederation Centre of the Arts.
Nov. 7: Montreal — Corona Theatre.
Nov. 10: Ottawa — Centrepointe Theatre.
Nov. 12: Belleville, Ont. — Empire Theatre.
Nov. 13: Kitchener, Ont. — Centre in the Square.
Nov. 14: Toronto — Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.
Nov. 17: Brampton, Ont. — Rose Theatre.
Nov. 18: London, Ont. — Centennial Hall.
Nov. 20: Thunder Bay, Ont. — Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
Nov. 26: Calgary — Arts Commons (Jack Singer Concert Hall).
Nov. 27: Vancouver — Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Nov. 29: Banff, Alta. — The Banff Centre (Eric Harvie Theatre).
Dec. 1: Medicine Hat, Alta. — Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.
Dec. 3: Regina — Casino Regina (Show Lounge).
Dec. 4: Winnipeg — MTS Centre.

Read more.

Toronto: Darcy Oake

From the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts:
Canadian master illusionist and sleight of hand artist Darcy Oake, makes his highly anticipated return to Canada this November and December with his acclaimed Edge of Reality tour following UK dates that wrap up in London’s prestigious Hammersmith Apollo. The Canadian tour includes appearances in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, and takes the award-winning illusionist back to his hometown of Winnipeg, MB on December 4 at the MTS Centre.

Darcy Oake has become a global sensation since his 2014 appearances on UK’s hugely successful television competition Britain’s Got Talent where he surpassed thousands of contestants to land among the show’s top ten finalists and win over 200 million viewers of the program worldwide. A YouTube clip showing Oake making doves seemingly appear out of nowhere, has garnered more than 52.5 million views alone. Watch the video HERE.
  
Darcy Oake, like his contemporaries David Blaine and Criss Angel, brings a fresh approach to a mysterious and ancient craft. With the Edge of Reality tour, Oake delivers an exhilarating, logic-bending, and contemporary adaptation of an art form that has puzzled and entertained for centuries.

Oake is the winner of multiple awards, including the coveted People’s Choice Gold Medal, which he received from the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians. Managed by Paquin Entertainment, he has since gone on to become an international magic champion and headlined at the iconic Magic Castle in Hollywood, made numerous international television appearances, including his own 1-hour Edge of Reality special on UK’s ITV, toured the globe and this Fall shares his passion for illusion in a new book Behind the Illusion, where he delves into secrets and history of classic illusions.

Sony Centre For The Performing Arts presents
DARCY OAKE EDGE OF REALITY WORLD TOUR
Saturday, November 14, 2015 @ 7:30PM
Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto

14 June 2015

Darcy Oake in Business Review Canada

You may remember the May post with the commercial in question.  Do you also remember that last year Wendy's did a magical ad campaign


From Business Review Canada:
In an attempt to get their new frozen chocolate drink noticed, the fast food company has decided to take part in a new marketing technique—a prank ad campaign. In short, Tim Hortons has implemented the act of levitation in attempt to get consumer’s attention.

The franchise’s new chocolate drink—which has arrived just in time for summer—can be seen alongside Canadian magician Darcy Oake and two local actors.

Read more.

10 June 2015

Darcy Oake in the Nottingham Post

From the Nottingham Post:
As the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent draws to a close, Canadian magician is another contestant proving that you don’t need to win it for the show to kickstart your career. Kevin Cooper spoke to him ahead of a UK tour that includes his first date in Nottingham

It was a card trick his dad showed him when he was eight years old that set Darcy Oake on his journey into the world of magic and illusion.

Over here, we’d never heard of the Canadian until he appeared on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent but by that time he was already an international magic champion. At 16, he beat seasoned professionals at various events and ended up winning the coveted People’s Choice Gold Medal in Seattle.

Read more.

30 May 2015

Canadian magic in The Globe and Mail

It's nice to see mentions of Brent Smith (Vanishing Rabbit), Zack Mirza (Illusions of Grandeur), Darcy Oake, Ron Keller, Shawn Farquhar, and Jeff Pinsky (The Browser's Den of Magic).


As curio shops go, Brent Smith’s Vanishing Rabbit is all things magical. Attached to the ceiling is a series of old billboards advertising the greats through the ages – Houdini, Sorcar, Mandrake and a young Doug Henning as Chou Chou (pronounced Shoe Shoe), the clown who actually sold shoes for a living.

Inside Mr. Smith’s store, a creepy-looking Charlie McCarthy puppet sits above display cases filled with easy-to-perform tricks and novelties, including the ever-popular Fart Extinguisher.

“It’s a big hit with the kids,” Mr. Smith says as he emerges from behind a counter holding a deck of Svengali playing cards. “I sell a lot of cards, too. Magic is really hot right now.”

Read more.

12 January 2015

Darcy Oake's Prairie tour

From Clive Court's Facebook page:


29 December 2014

Darcy Oake's goal: to get Edge of Reality to air in other parts of the world

From the CBC:
A Winnipeg magician who rose to fame this spring is getting a lot of attention overseas again.      

Darcy Oake, who got his start on the stages of Britain’s Got Talent in April, premiered his first-ever television special this weekend.

Edge of Reality aired in the UK this weekend.

Oake said watching the special was surreal and rewarding.

“You get so close to your material that it's kind of hard to look at it as an outsider looking in, seeing it for the first time, but I was really happy with it,” said Oake. “I was really happy with how it turned out and it seemed to be well received, so it was all positive.”

Read more.