Welcoming a new Friend: Peter Mennie

Please join me in welcoming our newest friend, Peter Mennie!

Based out of London, Ontario, Peter is a long-time reader of (and contributor to) the blog. Prior to The Great Pause, Peter would often be found performing at Ontario resorts or working behind the scenes with local theatre groups.  He was also regularly featured on Roger's Daytime London.

Visit Peter's website at PeterMennie.ca and follow Peter on Facebook, on Twitter @PeterMennie, or on Instagram @PeterMennie.

Thank you Peter, for befriending Canada's Magic! 

Online meetings and shows

Updated at 15:31 EST to add:

• Jeff & Tessa Evason have opened up their vault to share this TV special featuring Thomas Baxter, James Cielen, Carl Cloutier, Dean Gunnarson, Gary Kurtz, Richard Sanders and Jay Sankey, with a special appearance by magician David Peck.  Watch on YouTube.

Are you itching to make it to a magic meeting from the comfort of your own home? 

• Ryan Pilling has set up www.MyMagicMeeting.com
  

  I can't stand cancelled magic club meetings! So I made this...
  www.MyMagicMeeting.com
  Join me Thursday night for a live, interactive video magic club meeting. You can participate, and even become a part of the scheduled program by proposing a talk.
  Magicians: Please share this with your local clubs that are currently on hiatus.

  
  
• You could join Aaron Matthews Magic live:

  Why not have some fun and share some magic and thoughts with all of you while we’re all home for a few weeks! I hope to hear from all of you in the chat this week.
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  View this post on Instagram

  
  

  
  

  
  

  WE GO LIVE starting TOMORROW!! Why not have some fun and share some magic and thoughts with all of you while we’re all home for a few weeks! I hope to hear from all of you in the chat this week 🥳😊 @thekillshow @entertainuspodcast @emilmorelikedessert

  A post shared by Aaron Magic Matthews (@aaronmatthewsmagic) on Mar 17, 2020 at 1:54pm PDT

  
  
  

  
  
• Free admission to McBride Magic and Mystery School
  

  MYSTERY SCHOOL MONDAY is held every Monday night at 7:00-8:00pm pacific time. The following link will take you into our classroom as early as 6:45pm: https://zoom.us/j/562254051
  Please note: we use the Zoom platform. (Download Zoom for free at www.zoom.us.)
  
  If this is your first time, you will find a welcoming community of like-minded magicians discussing a significant topic every week! Please note: our classroom only holds 100 people, so be sure to get to class early!

Interested in catching a show?  Peter Mennie and Carisa Hendrix have you covered!

Full 1 Hour Lucy Darling show available to stream for free here at 7am PST https://t.co/5QfwWAPAuS

Grab a drink and pretend you are here in this beautiful theatre. Happy to be able to make this available to you while we wait for things to return to normal.
Please stay safe.

— Carisa Hendrix (@CarisaHendrix) March 16, 2020

Here's a FREE full length show in case you can't get out. #covid19 #magicshow #magician #marchbreak
A FREE Video for you just because you can't see it live for the next little while. - https://t.co/b56S0OHfNR

All of us are affected by the events and postponments happening...

— Peter Mennie (@petermennie) March 16, 2020

An upcoming lecture series on April 5th:



There's also consumable content from R. Paul Wilson and Mark Clearview:





From Mark Clearview:

We're all going to die and I'm going to document it. Listen to what I'm doing with all my free time. Follow my adventures through headlines and misinformation as I contribute a heaping helping of my own. Exclusively on my website until we're up and running on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

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WELL IT'S HERE! We're all going to die and I'm going to document it. Listen to what I'm doing with all my free time. Follow my adventures through headlines and misinformation as I contribute a heaping helping of my own. Exclusively on my website until we're up and running on Apple Podcasts and Spotify! Hosted with @davidmfklein LINK IN BIO! __ #quarantine #blog #quarantinelive #endtimes #coronavirus #COVID19 #covid #corona #virus #endoftheworld #comedy #podcast #comedian #funny #sorry

A post shared by Mark Clearview (@markclearview) on Mar 16, 2020 at 5:03pm PDT

Put the things we're missing in the comments!

Peter Mennie's list of 5

5 low or no cost things to do if you can't perform over the next few weeks:

1. Go for a walk.
2. Write new material.
3. Clean/repair/upgrade your props.
4. Do your taxes (and invest your refund).
5. Don't worry. The work will come back in greater abundance.
#inspiration

5 low or no cost things to do if you can't perform over the next few weeks:

1. Go for a walk.
2. Write new material.
3. Clean/repair/upgrade your props.
4. Do your taxes (and invest your refund).
5. Don't worry. The work will come back in greater abundance. #inspiration

— Peter Mennie (@petermennie) March 13, 2020

Niagara Falls and Forest: Peter Mennie

February 16 - Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls
February 17 - Forest, ON


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First time! Please come so we can show them how much fun the show is! #entertainment #magicshow #cleancomedy #familyentertainment #familyactivity #magician #resortsontario #resortentertainment #kidsactivities #kidsprograms #eveningprogram #evententertainment #familyfun #eveningentertainment #afternoonentertainment #cruiseentertainment #fairs #festivalentertainment #childrensentertainer #greatwolflodgeniagara #greatwolflodge #familyday #familydayactivities

A post shared by Peter Mennie, That Magic Guy (@petermennie) on Feb 3, 2020 at 12:38pm PST

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Two weeks today in #forestontario #entertainment #magicshow #cleancomedy #familyentertainment #familyactivity #magician #resortsontario #resortentertainment #kidsactivities #kidsprograms #eveningprogram #evententertainment #familyfun #eveningentertainment #afternoonentertainment #cruiseentertainment #fairs #festivalentertainment #childrensentertainer #familyday #familydayactivities

A post shared by Peter Mennie, That Magic Guy (@petermennie) on Feb 3, 2020 at 6:23am PST

OWOW Recap by Ryan Joyce

From the December 7th article "Magic festival appears in Fergus Ontario" by Ryan Joyce:

We organized a three-day magicians convention, produced a four-day festival featuring five stage shows, two parlour shows, and first-ever Livestream Magic Special during the seven days.

The OWOW Festival scheduled magicians performing table-to-table at local restaurants, secret sessions for magicians, world-class gala magic shows at the Fergus Grand Theatre and exclusive private events around town. 

This year we featured twelve internationally acclaimed magicians, Stephen Bargatze, Michael Close, Greg Frewin, Carisa Hendrix, Rick Merrill, Paul Romhany, Jay Sankey, Nicholas Wallace, Owen Anderson, Ryan Joyce, Cody Moynihan, Peter Mennie, Graemazing Reed and Ed Stone.

Read more.

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.

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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.

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From @joan.caesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks for sending Joan!): The OWOW Festival got off to a great start with sessions by @carisahendrix (Lucy Darling), @nickwallacelive and @therealjaysankey . At the end they gave Paul Romhany a birthday cake which we all shared. Tonight’s Gala show will be an outstanding all Canadian show with Lucy Darling, (winner of the comedy award in Melbourne Australia two years running), Jay Sankey, Nick Wallace and @gregfrewin .

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom) on Oct 25, 2019 at 4:09pm PDT

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More from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!): The Gala Show and close up were wonderful, both full of excellent magic and humour. Quite the night! @carisahendrix @nickwallacelive @therealjaysankey @gregfrewin @promhany @mikeclosemagic @ryanjoycemagic @owowmagicfest #OWOWfestival #owow

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom) on Oct 26, 2019 at 7:09am PDT

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Saturday afternoon from @joan.caesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!): Lecture by @promhany , session with Renee-Claude Auclair, Joan Caesar, and @mikeclosemagic , public children’s show staring @petermennie and Owen Anderson, with stilt walker Doug Hunt. Afternoon lecture by Michael Close. @OWOWMagicFest #OWOWfestival #owow

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom) on Oct 26, 2019 at 5:05pm PDT

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Saturday gala photos from @joan.caesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!): [1/2] @ryanjoycemagic also presented Joan with an award last night. Congratulations Joan! @OWOWMagicFest #OWOWfestival #owow

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom) on Oct 27, 2019 at 8:48am PDT

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[2/2] Saturday gala photos from @joan.caesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!): @OWOWMagicFest #OWOWfestival #owow

A post shared by Canadas Magic (@canadasmagicdotcom) on Oct 27, 2019 at 8:49am PDT

(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!):

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

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 26, 2019

[3/3] More from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):

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

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 26, 2019

[2/3] Saturday afternoon from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):

... public children’s show staring Peter Mennie and Owen Anderson, @petermennie@OwenTAnderson@OWOWMagicFest#OWOWfestival #owow pic.twitter.com/GJIuEKyhwU

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 27, 2019

[3/3] Saturday afternoon from @JoanCaesar at the Ontario Week of Wonder (thanks Joan!):

... with stilt walker Doug Hunt. Afternoon lecture by Michael Close.@OWOWMagicFest#OWOWfestival #owow pic.twitter.com/tMgBJyRMsc

— Canada's Magic (@canadasmagic) October 27, 2019

[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

Peter Mennie's advice based on "40 Years As A Kid's Performer"

From the September 16th article "40 Years As A Kid's Performer Helps" by Peter Mennie at LinkedIn:

I started my career on their stage while I was still in still high school. I had a full stage crew to set my props, run my music (on cassette!) and supply my mic (where I learned proper technique and went from handheld to headset) For the last ten years, I've done tech and this year and last, I was exclusively at the Kiddieland stage. Interestingly enough, the acts were the same both years (plus one additional Juno-nominated siging duo). It was a great opportunity to see how some acts grew (or not) why some acts stayed the same (because it works) and how an act that (according to them), never play these types of events, fit in (they didn't).

I was 'the old guy' in the group but with a unique perspective being both a performer and a technician. Everyone's goals were aligned - gather a crowd and entertain them - however as a performer, I know what the crew needs to make my show a success and as crew, I know what I need to support the stage acts.

Here are a few tips from both perspectives.


Read more.

Ontario: Ryan Joyce

From Ryan Joyce's February 16th blog post "Magician on tour: Upcoming Ontario magic shows":

I'll be travelling with my long-time friend and on-stage partner Jenna and my magician friends Peter Mennie and Graeme Reed. Meet all these crazy characters plus Will our sound engineer.

OWEN SOUND:

O.S.C.V.I. Auditorium – East Ridge Community School

Friday, February 22, 2019

BELLEVILLE:

Maranatha Auditorium

Saturday, February 23, 2019

PETERBOROUGH:

Showplace Performance Centre

Sunday, February 24, 2019

COBOURG:

COBOURG COMMUNITY CENTRE

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2019

Read more.

Peter Mennie unpacks his TV archive

From Peter Mennie's blog post "That’s a Lot of Magic!":

Way back when (about two years ago), I did a lot of television. Every month for 11 months, I had an appearance on a local TV chat show. I did two-three routines every time (that's 20-30 tricks) for nearly twenty years!

Over the next few months, here are some of the greatest hits - in no chronological order - and with apologies for the video quality of some of the segments.

Read more and watch video. [1 - Straight Ahead]

Peter's also posted:

• Television Magic Archives – Part 2 [2 - No Cards Required]
• Television Magic Archives – Part 3 [3 - Never Play with Matches]
• Television Magic Archives – Part 4 [4 - The Cards Know Everything] 
• Television Magic Archives – Part 5 [5 - A Dual Reality Card Trick]

Rounding the Central rings in October 2018

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

Montreal, QC	Ring 62 (20th Century Ring)	- TBA.
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- Peter Mennie lecture.
London, ON	Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild)	- Magic history and rubber band workshop.
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- Graemazing lecture.
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- TBA.
Ottawa, ON	Ottawa / Gatineau magicians	- TBA
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Quentin Reynolds lecture. (also Chris Philpott lecture at Browser's)

Please leave a comment or email me about corrections or omissions.

Fergus: FLASH TV Filming

From Ryan Joyce's Facebook page:

***TV FILMING UPDATE in FERGUS****

We have a last-minute FLASH TV Filming in Fergus with special guests and surprises!! This Sunday, May 27 come eat dinner at the Brew House on the Grand and enjoy FREE world-class entertainment!!!! Special guests including Michael Paul - Comic/Writer/Director direct from Hollywood and more!!!! Arrive at 5:30pm enjoy a meal at the Brew House and be part of this incredible opportunity that is taking place in our community. Help us make magic happen!

VERY LIMITED SEATING!!!!!! ONLY 15 SPOTS LEFT!!!!!!!!
 You must register below, show tickets are free with your meal!

PS: You will see us around Fergus Filming this weekend! Say hi and tell a friend!
 PSS: Don't forget we are filming!!! By arriving you agree to be filmed for TV.

Do you market with darts?

From the article "Marketing Your Magic Business - Do you shoot guns or toss darts?" by Peter Mennie at Magician's Masterclass:

When developing your magic business marketing plan there are two potential strategies:  shotgun or darts.  In my experience, most magicians use the shotgun approach which targets a broad base of potential clients with little to no focus.
I prefer the second strategy called D.A.R.T. which stands for Directed At Responsive Targets.

Guns are loud, fired from far away and hurt or kill their prey. Darts are tossed at their targets from 10 feet away and everyone drinks when you hit the bulls-eye.

Let me explain.

Read more.

Fergus: Bringing magic to the Fergus Grand Theatre

From the January 5th, 2018 article "Ryan Joyce aims to bring world class magicians to Fergus" by Jaime Myslik in the Wellington Advertiser:

“I’m trying to find ways to stay more locally bound and still do what I love,” he said. “I think we might have found a unique way to do both.”

The first project he’s working on is called Magician’s Masterclass, which is an educational show for magicians hosted by a guest magic legend and will be filmed at the Fergus Grand Theatre.

The goal is to “see how they learn and teach and explore magic, all on camera,” Joyce said.

The first episode was released in December with host Michael Close, a magic consultant for Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

Read more.

From Fergus Filming:

I asked Michael (Close) to join us to film an exciting new project for the magic community that teaches some of magic’s most well-gaurded secrets.  The project is turning out better than I expected and there is interested to bring other world-famous magicians and variety artists right here to our community.

While filming, it became very clear the opportunity that lay ahead.  I am gearing up to bring some of the world’s greatest magicians, variety artists and visual entertainers right here to Fergus Grand Theatre and film shows for distribution.

These performances will be free* and we need to fill all 255 seats with an enthusiastic live studio audience.  Sorry, I can’t mention too many juicy details yet.  You’ll be the first to know by signing up for updates below!  Don’t worry, I don’t have time to spam you– kinda busy working to make this happen (plus travelling like crazy for my job)

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