[Guest post] February 2024 Genii Issue Features Canadians

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.

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February 2024 Genii Issue Features Canadians


The current issue of Genii opens with a heart-felt tribute filling an entire page in their "In Memorium" section to the late Micky Hades written by Stephen Forrester.

"The Eye" section (featuring stories from around the world of magic) curated by Vanessa Armstrong has two Canadian references:

• A photo of Gabriella Lester illustrates a short piece linking to a longer New York Times article on diversity in magic, highlighting three women performing today including Lester. Armstrong refutes some of its broader generalizations.
  Link - https://myqrcode.mobi/70e1232e
  
  
• A second longer piece about the Magic of Tony Eng Exhibition opening in the Victoria BC Chinatown Museum includes several quotes from Tony's daughter (the Executive Director of Magicana Julie Eng) as well as a link to the CBC television report on the Exhibition's openinglast December.
  Link - cbc.ca/player/play/2290720323810

Finally, in Shawn McMaster's column "Knights at the Magic Castle" Murray Sawchuck is prominently reviewed for his December holidays appearance at The Magic Castle along with Lefty (Doug Leferovich.)

 

- The Magic Demon

 

 

Thank you The Magic Demon for guest posting at Canada's Magic!

 

 

 

 

 

USA: Gabriella Lester on tour [Nov 13 - Dec 3]

From the November 1st Facebook post by Gabriella Lester:

My life for the next month🤯

Excited to announce these dates and gear up to go perform in some of my favorite venues out there! #bookedandblessed

📸Photo by @andrewgerardphotography

Where will I see you??

Nov 13 - Bakersfield, CA

Nov 16 - Chicago, IL
Nov 17 - Chicago, IL
Nov 18 - Chicago, IL
Nov 19 - Chicago, IL

Nov 20 - New York City, NY

Nov 27 - Nashville, TN
Nov 28 - Nashville, TN
Nov 29 - Nashville, TN
Nov 30 - Nashville, TN
Dec 1 - Nashville, TN
Dec 2 - Nashville, TN
Dec 3 - Nashville, TN

More dates tbd…🤫

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabriella Lester (@thegabriellalester)

 

 

 

Bakersfield: Gabriella Lester and Alex Zander in Celebrities of Magic [Nov 13]

Tickets at the Melodrama.

 

From the October 16th Facebook post by Ron Saylor:

"Celebrities Of Magic" presents GABRIELLA LESTER and ALEX ZANDER, Live in Bakersfield, Monday, November 13th, at The Gaslight Melodrama.

GABRIELLA LESTER is an internet sensation. With 50 thousand followers and over a million views, her fans flock to keep up with what she is going to do next.

Originally from South Africa, GABRIELLA LESTER, before the age of 20, has already appeared on some of the Largest stages in Las Vegas, The Magic Castle and even Penn & Teller’s FOOL US.

GABRIELLA LESTER is fascinated by Escapology Magic and, as a Junior Member of The Academy of Magical Arts, she is officially one of the youngest magicians to master Houdini’s Upside-Down Strait-Jacket Escape.

Also on the bill, ALEX ZANDER just completed a 500-Show Tour across America.

ALEX ZANDER’s Magic will tug at your heart-strings with childhood nostalgia and modern miracles.

It’s no wonder that ALEX ZANDER has already been elected as the President of the World’s Premier Magical Organization, The International Brotherhood of Magicians.

THIS SHOW WILL SELL-OUT so Do Not Wait to Reserve your Seats.

 

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders with Billy Hsueh, Gabriella Lester, Rod Boss, Jack Schwartz, and Blake Aleong [Sep 27]

Tickets at Ticket Tailor. 

From the September 15th Facebook post by Cabaret of Wonders:

This month features Billy Hsueh, Gabriella Lester, and guest performers Rod Boss, Jack Schwartz and Blake Aleong! 

 

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders with Lester, Verners, and Hsueh [Apr 24]

From the April 14th Instagram post by Billy Hsueh:

Excited to share the stage with my friends @thegabriellalester and @jasonverners !

If you are free come hang out with us at the Cabaret of Wonders for an interactive magic experience! 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Billy Hsueh (@sdpmagic)

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders with Lester, Chow, and Hsueh [Mar 31]

From the March 20th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

The next edition of the Cabaret of Wonders is coming March 31st. Tickets on sale now at CabaretofWonders.com

 

 

 

 

Edinburgh: Gabriella Lester in Astonishment [Feb 22]

From the February 2nd Instagram post by Gabriella Lester:

Absolutely STOKED to be headlining “Astonishment” in Edinburgh this February!

Looking forward to sharing the stage with this talented group of people, thanks to mister @camerongibsonirl

Grab your plane and show tickets, and I’ll see you out there…😉✈️

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabriella Lester (@thegabriellalester)

 

 

 

New Westminster: Cabaret of Wonders [Jan 16]

From the January 4th Instagram post by Simon Cassegrain:

It's my absolute pleasure to share with you that I'll be on stage with two fantastic performers @thegabriellalester and @sdpmagic for the Cabaret of Wonders on January 16th!

Grab your tickets for a magical evening!
www.cabaretofwonders.com

Thanks @magichampion for giving us the opportunity to perform on the stage of #hiddenwonders

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Simon Cassegrain (@csgsimon)

 

 

IBM Teen Tuesday virtual jam with Shawn Farquhar hosted by Gabriella Lester [Jan 3]

From the December 22nd Instagram post by the IBM:

Calling all young magicians🙌

Come join the first ever IBM Teen Tuesday virtual jam. For those of you that love magic, or want a chance to connect with other young magicians ALL over the world, this is your chance!!

When ⏰
January 3rd 2023

Where 📍
Online via Zoom

Who 👤
Teens who love magic

Special guest✨
Shawn Farquhar
@magichampion

Hosted by🪄
Gabriella Lester
@thegabriellalester

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by I.B.M. - Official (@ibmmagic)

 

 

Gabriella Lester on Penn and Teller's "Fool Us"

Well done Gabriella!  Congratulations!

 

From the November 18th upload "WILL 18-year-old FOOL Penn & Teller UPSIDE-DOWN?! Gabriella Lester on Fool Us Season 9" at
Gabriella Lester's YouTube channel:

Magician Gabriella Lester performs an act inspired by Penn and Teller’s performance of “Casey at the Bat”

This performance is from Penn & Teller: Fool Us - Season 9, episode 6: “Magic Socks Big Time”

Gabriella is only eighteen, but has already been performing on stages all across the continent. In the past few years, she has entertained hundreds of audiences and companies; including venues such as the world-famous "Magic Castle" in Hollywood and the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

 

 

 

Gabriella Lester in the TriCity News and on Global News

From the November 3rd article "Port Moody's Gabriella Lester hopes to 'fool' world-class magicians on national TV" by Kyle Balzer in the TriCity News: 

Lester told the Tri-City News the experience has been a dream come true and it's an appearance she has pursued since she was 12 years old.

"This makes me so excited for the next few years," the Heritage Woods Secondary graduate said in notable disbelief and excitement.

"Performing is my greatest passion, and 'Fool Us' is just another reminder to set myself impossible goals. What may seem 15 years away, could only be five. And that I have to keep pushing myself to achieve remarkable things."

Read more.

 

 

From the November 18th Facebook post by Shawn Farquhar:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alex Zander: Vancouver Magic Circle's 2021 Stage Magician of the Year

Congratulations IBM Ring 92 competitors!

• 1st Place: Junior Stage winner Gabriella Lester
• 2nd Place: Rod Chow
• 1st Place: Alex Zander
  

 

From the November 26th Facebook post by Alex Zander:

What an honour to be named “2021 Stage Magician of the Year” by the Vancouver Magic Circle, IBM Ring #92, one of Canada’s oldest and largest magic clubs.

After a multi-year hiatus from competing while producing conventions and lectures for our global IBM magic community, it feels great to showcase some of my own original creations.

Congratulations to all my fellow competitors for a great evening of strong magic, and honourable mentions to 2nd Place Rod Chow (soon to be at the helm of the The Society of American Magicians!) and 1st Place Junior Stage winner Gabriella Lester