• Jeff’s thanking: the MonteCassino staff. Cheers to the office, engineering, hotel, bar and kitchen staff.
• Also thanks to: Annie Pinsky, Dick Joiner, David Merry, Magic Mike Segal & Jen Segal, Ben Train, Michael Gillis, Chris Mayhew, Lidden Li, Shawna York, Nicole Lee, John Michalson, Roxanne Talbot, and Christina Asher!
• Thank you to the Zone Performers:  James Harrison, Ben Train, Chris Mayhew, Big Louie Lebetjis, & Joe Deng.
• Special thanks to John Talbot and Lee Asher, without whom none of this would have been possible.
• A touching video tribute to Tom Mullica.

Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2016

From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:

"Best Magician Contest 2016"

Hello all Magic Lovers, the BEST MAGICIAN CONTEST is BACK for you. This is your opportunity to show your skills.

In the evening of April 16th, 2016, A1 Chinese Radio (http://www.ccue.com/a1_radio/web/) is giving out opportunities to the magic lovers! Bringing along with your own incredible skills, the candidates will enter into an exciting competition held on a magical platform in Market Village.

This is the 5th year magician contest to gather a large amount of Toronto magicians within the magic community and the qualified contestants will be challenge among each other and then finally compete for the fame of Top Magician in Toronto.

This might be the LAST YEAR we are having the contest at MARKET VILLAGE because this famous landmark will be renovating very soon. Hence, this is a historical moment for all magic lover to witness the contest of BEST MAGICIAN one LAST TIME at Market Village.

This Year, we will also have Lee Asher, Jim Tam, Jeff Pinsky and Magic Mike to be our judges.
Performance: Stage Magic or Close-Up Magic.
Contestant: All Ages, All Genders
Event date: Apr 16, 2016 (Saturday) 7:30pm
Venue: Market Village (Steeles & Kennedy) 

(Event will be host in Cantonese and English. Contestants can use any langue for their Magical Routine.)

We are now starting the YOUTUBE audition. From now till 30th of March, all participants only need to submit a roughly 2 - 5 minute video to starz@classicforce.com
- Please submit your video before March 29th, 2015 to waive the $20 entry fee. Any video(s) submitted after March 30th, 2015; a $20 entry fee will be applied.
- When submitting the video, please provide us your name and contact, so we can contact you.

*We will arrange an audition, AFTER we got your videos. Roughly 8 magicians or Magic group/ team will be chosen at the audition by the director of A1 media Toronto. These magicians will be competing on April 16, 2016 for the BEST Magician award 2016 & People choice award. ONE VIDEO entry per contestant only.

The winner of the competition will be receiving the following:
- “Best Magician 2016” trophy, “People Choice Magician 2016”
- Your chance to perform at CNE on with A1 Radio at Canada Day.
- Gift(s) from our main sponsor(s).

Look forward meeting you guys, See you all at there!!

iTricks interviews Lee Asher

Listen to Lee Asher talk with iTricks about playing cards, Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Camp (the 20th anniversary, learning from the kids, the B4 class, Keith Brown, and women in magic), Greg Frewin, becoming a Canadian citizen, and Pulp Friction the book.

Lee Asher on magical connections

From Lee Asher's blog:

On the afternoon we went, we were lucky enough to catch four different magicians performing on the pitch. While all of them were noteworthy in some fashion, one performance stood out the most for me. I've never seen anything like it before and it's one of those instances where it makes you reflect on your own life.

Magic Man Andrew Eland, a wonderful comedian and sleight-of-hand artist by way of South Africa, is that act. He's got an amazing knack (one of the best) for insanely difficult sleight of hand. Multiply that by the fact he's an excellent performer (and super funny), and you'll start to understand why he's considered a true legend among the underground.

During his performance we saw that day, something terrible happened. Not bad like finding the wrong card, but honestly terrible and gut-wrenching in the kind of way that sends shivers down your spine. As a performer, I never want to face this. Ever. Right there, I watched it happen to Andrew.

Read more.

Download your free copy of "Card Culture"

Did you know that Canadian resident Lee Asher is the Vice President/Director of Publicity and Membership; Associate Editor for "Card Culture," the 52 Plus Joker's monthly digital playing card magazine?

This publication is a treasure trove of information for playing card aficionados from all over the world. It is published each month and available to members of 52 Plus Joker's, the American Playing Card Collector's Club.

For a free sneak peak visit the PlayingCardForum.com to see a special edition of "Card Culture."

You can also find Lee at Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Camp, and ask him more about 52 Plus Joker's and "Card Culture" there!


From a press release:

In order to further promote the hobby of collecting modern, antique and vintage playing cards, 52 Plus Joker, the largest playing card collectors' society in North America, is releasing a special complimentary issue of CARD CULTURE Magazine. This issue is a compilation of popular articles from previous issues and is meant to be representative of the type of content the magazine carries on a regular basis. 

52 Plus Joker President Tom Dawson says, "In my many years of experience, I can't recall any monthly magazine that has covered card collecting with this level of professionalism and enthusiasm. It's become the industry standard, a valuable resource to the society, and to 'card culture' as a whole. Along with our long-standing quarterly publication, Clear the Decks, it makes the low cost of membership in the club an exceptional bargain for the price."

This special issue is twenty pages long and contains six articles in total - a typical reader can finish it in under ten minutes.

If the history, origins, manufacturing and collecting of playing cards interests you, then you're going to love CARD CULTURE and all the other amenities offered to members of 52 Plus Joker. For only $25 per year ($35 outside North America), the privileges of membership to this unique club include:

-CARD CULTURE: monthly digital magazine including all current and past issues
-CLEAR THE DECKS: all new issues of our printed quarterly
-Access to the Ask Alexander database of all our magazine archives
-Personal account on PlayingCardForum.com
-Free expert appraisals of selected decks from your collection
-Inclusion within the 52 Plus Joker club roster
-Invitation to the Annual 52 Plus Joker Convention
-Access to advice and information on all things playing cards 

The 52 Plus Joker club is always eager to welcome new members, including collectors, artists/designers, Kickstarter project backers, magicians, cardists and anyone else with an interest in the world of playing cards, regardless of their level of experience! Read your complimentary copy of CARD CULTURE now, then join today. We invite you to forward this special issue to anyone you think would be interested in its content or the 52 Plus Joker club.

If you guys have any questions, comments, thoughts, etc. about the club or CARD CULTURE, just email the Director of Publicity Lee Asher at Lee [at] LeeAsher [dot] com.

Review: "A Series of Unfortunate Effects"

From the Magic Junkies:

Coming in at around 90 minutes, A Series of Unfortunate Effects is a fun, engaging and wonderfully unique instructional DVD featuring some of the best card magic I’ve seen in some time. The movie (yep, I’m calling it a movie) features appearances by Lee Asher, Jeff Hinchliffe, Glenn West, Chris Westfall, plus the creators Chris Mayhew and Ben Train. Bill Abbott even makes an appearance as a maniacal card collector – hey if the shoe fits  Even without the card routines and explanations, I thought the movie was really fun with several laugh out loud moments. The chemistry between Chris Mayhew and Ben Train provides an enjoyable romp through underground card magic. (I’ll take this moment to mention that Chris Mayhew cracks me up!) The video itself is shot in HD and edited beautifully, with great attention to detail throughout. The appearances and card routines are just icing on the proverbial cake. It is a creative adventure that is a joy to watch.

Read more.

How do you deal with failure?

In his post "Magic Gone Wrong," Lee Asher makes shares some valuable insights on failure.

Leave a comment below to share what you have learned from a time when things didn't go according to plan.

From Lee Asher's Playground:

Have you ever performed magic for a group of people, only to realize the routine isn't going to end as expected? Do you remember the feeling you got when it happened? Terrible! Most magicians can relate, because if you've ever presented magic before, you've probably been in that kind of situation. Maybe even more than once?

As a beginner, for me, it happened a lot. Nonetheless, those initial experiences shaped me into the performer I am today. With time and practice though, I learned to limit my amount of failure.
Currently as a professional, it rarely happens. Though, when stuff goes awry these days, it makes a meaningful, albeit painful, impact on me.

MAGIC GONE WRONG Recently, I was asked to perform at the Atlanta Harvest Magic Convention. It's a wonderful get-together filled with warm & compassionate folk. In one of the rooms, for the formal close-up show with over hundred pairs of eyes watching, I failed miserably with a set I'd been performing for a while.

Read more.

Review: A Series of Unfortunate Effects

From the Facebook page of A Series of Unfortunate Effects:

Post by A Series of Unfortunate Effects.

Toronto: A Series of Unfortunate Effects

From Five Academy Magic:

Tuesday April 29th, 2014
The Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Ave)

If you love magic, movies, and laughing this is the event for you. Combining a story-driven plot with a magic instructional, join Toronto's top magicians as they premiere their long awaited movie, A Series of Unfortunate Effects!

After witnessing an amazing magic trick performed by the Five Card Stud Lee Asher, Chris Mayhew enlists his friend Ben Train to help him discover Lee’s secret.

These two soon discover that uncovering the secrets to magic are not as easy as they once thought. Join Chris and Ben as they learn magic from underground magicians Jeff Hinchliffe, Glenn West, and Chris Westfall, all while avoiding destruction at the hands of crazed card collector Bill Abbott. Get ready for a wild story-driven magic instructional, filled with laughs and incredible card tricks.

Read more.

Review: Sankey lecture, Card collectors and Bobby Motta

From the Browser's Den:

Since most of us are talking as much about the weather as we are about our latest sleight of hand moves I am pleased to report that I will make a prediction.

As popular is mentalism these days it was never of much interest to me for most of my formative years studying magic.  Though I do appreciate it more now than then...I still enjoy scarves changing colour and canes changes to candles, linking rings and coins and cups and balls, etc.etc.

That being said, I have decided that I will make a prediction regarding our weather. The cold will disappear by the time I write my next Blog!

Read more.

Jeff, about your prediction, I hope you're right!  (And write soon!)

Christopher Hart, Lee Asher et al at the Atlanta Harvest of Magic

From Lee Asher:

#Fun Will you join me, @Kranzo, @cardjon, Harry Anderson, and many others for one of the best kept secrets in magic? http://t.co/ai1l2qjj3K
— Lee Asher (@LeeAsherMagic) February 20, 2014

This year's Atlanta Harvest of Magic runs from September 11-13, 2014.

Also scheduled to appear are friends of Sorcerers Safari: Nathan Kranzo and Steven Kline!

Toronto: Playing Card Collectors Meeting

From the Browser's Den:

Sunday March 2nd, 2014

Calling all playing card collectors within a 200 kilometer radius of Toronto and the GTA!

With the help of 52 Plus Joker (North American Playing Card Collector's Club), the Browser's Den proudly offers you the opportunity to spend an entire afternoon with World renowned Playing Card Experts and authors of the Hochman Encyclopedia of Playing Cards - Mr. Tom & Judy Dawson.

Read more.

Review: Lee Asher's Catch 33

From Wayne Kawamoto:

Classic Monte with a Killer Ending

Lee Asher offers this amazing take on classic three-card monte that's taught via a downloadable pdf file that you can view on your computer or mobile device. Asher not only teaches the basics of the monte, he offers a stunning switch at the routine's end that may very well surpass the classic "bent corner" ploy. It's an entertaining routine at a great price.

Read more.

World-renowned Playing Card Expert Buys Largest Internet Playing Card Forum - Match Made in Heaven

For Immediate Release:

Toronto, Ontario. - December 17th, 2013 - In a surprise announcement, world-renowned playing card expert Tom Dawson stated that he has purchased "the Discourse at playingcardforum.com," the world's largest playing card Internet forum from previous owner and playing card designer, Alexander Yusupov.

The inspiration for selling The Discourse recalled twenty-two year old Alexander Yusupov, original founder of the forum "Tom and Judy Dawson are THE experts," Yusupov said. "It was time to pass the forum along to people that could take my work into unprecedented territory."

As the author, with Judy, his wife, of the definitive work "The Hochman Encyclopedia of American Playing Cards," as well the current president of the 52 Plus Joker Club, the preeminent North American card collecting organization, Mr. Dawson has lots to offer the large and growing roster of playing card collectors online.

Don Boyer, administrator of the Discourse and 52 Plus Joker member, agrees.  "I knew that Alex Yusupov had for some time been considering a sale of the forum, but the right opportunity hadn't presented itself.  When Tom Dawson and Lee Asher approached me recently to discuss future plans for 52 Plus Joker, it seems like a natural fit to unite these two organizations in some way, creating a synergy between them that makes them greater together than they are individually.  I suggested the idea to both parties and this is the happy result."

The idea of hunting for vintage pasteboards has always intrigued Mr. Dawson since he began his obsession almost forty years ago. The kind of passion that drove him back then to seek out the beauty and history those decks of cards possess still leads him today to help other fellow collectors, no matter their age or experience. After updating the 52 Plus Joker's Constitution and Mission Statement to expand the membership to include more modern custom playing card collectors and designers, Mr. Dawson saw the purchase of a sizable forum with over ten thousand members worldwide as a rare opportunity, one he couldn't pass up.

"When the United States Playing Card Company needs their collection evaluated, they call Tom and Judy Dawson. Imagine the kind of rich history and fascinating information they are going to share with anyone interested," said 52 Plus Joker's Director of Publicity, Lee Asher.

Asher adds, "It looks like 2014 is going to be pretty spectacular for card enthusiasts. I can't remember a time when everyone was so excited about playing card culture!"

According to Discourse statistics, the forum's membership is already growing exponentially with a high rate of regular visitors and posters. With luck, and if Tom Dawson 'plays his cards right,' he will end up achieving his ultimate goal of inspiring a new generation of playing card aficionados.

Interested in collecting playing cards? You aren't alone! Membership in the Discourse is free of charge to the public. Visit Tom Dawson's Discourse now, and get started today.

http://playingcardforum.com

For more information, go to the official announcement by Tom at The Discourse.

Lee Asher on The Magic Way

Will you be seeing Lee Asher at Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp next week?  If so, be sure to congratulate him for his recent cover on The Magic Way!

Made the cover of the Chinese magic magazine THE MAGIC WAY! pic.twitter.com/akMffGXg8L
— Lee Asher (@LeeAsherMagic) August 18, 2013

Read the article they published last summer about his 2012 tour through China.  (Read in English via Google Translate.)

Toronto: The HUNT -- Magic edition

From Mayhew Productions:

Join the entire magic community as we traverse around Toronto scavenging quirky items, solving magic-related clues, and crisscrossing the TTC tracks taking photos of random awesomeness — for points.

At the end of this game, the team with the most points wins a bag of cash! Sound like something you want to be a part of? Register below, and reserve your spot right now.

Read more and register.

Sounds like fun!  Who's in?

Michael Close at Michigan Magic Day

Today is Michigan Magic Day!  Michael Close, now from Canada, will be lecturing!

From Michigan Magic Day:

****NEWS FLASH-THIS JUST IN**** Also attending will be: LEE ASHER, BEN TRAIN and CHRIS MAYHEW!!! They will be there to hang out, share what they know and learn what you may know. So if you need pointers on a move/trick you’re in luck! I know Lee would love to see your “Asher Twist”.

Read more.

Lee Asher YouTube exposé

Lee Asher's article, "YouTube Exposé: A Different Perspective" was recently published in Published in MAGIC March 2013 Vol.22 No. 7.

From the article:

This has been done so many times with so much magic from so many artists, I’ve been forced to think about it intensely. At first, it upset me. But surprisingly, with time, my feelings about this issue have begun to change, and I want to share that evolution with you.

Read more.

Go and see what the folks are saying about this reddit.

Toronto: Sorcerers Safari Open House

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2013 AT 1PM

On this day at Browser's:
Mike & Jen Segal, Lee Asher, Ben Train, Chris Mayhew, Rosemary Reid, Chris Westfall and so many others involved in the Sorcerer's Safari Summer Magic Camp will be at the shop from 1pm to about 4pm to answer any of your questions about Canada's number one magic camp!
They will show you photos, video and lots more about past seasons.  Plus they will let you know about their exciting plans for this year's camp.

So if you are considering attending the camp or just want to find out more information please feel free to drop by the Open House! It will be a lot of fun!

RECEIVE $100 worth of bonus magic supplies for camp if you register on the day of the Open House. As an incentive, bring a friend who also registers for camp and you BOTH receive 10% off of camp fees, plus the $100 magic supply bonus.

Read more to find out about additional discounts and deals.

Lee Asher in MAGIC Magazine

Look who's in MAGIC Magazine this month!  From Lee Asher's Twitter feed:

Have you picked up your copy of @magicmagazine this month? twitpic.com/c738oq
— Lee Asher (@LeeAsherMagic) February 26, 2013