Festival de magie de Québec

From FestivaldeMagie.ca:

Du 1er au 5 septembre 2011, vous êtes conviés à la première édition du Festival de magie de Québec, un événement organisé par GM Développement et le magasin Benjo, avec l'appui du commanditaire la Caisse Desjardins du Centre-ville de Québec.

Read more.

 Les magiciens:

• Luc Langevin
• Nicolas Gignac
• MysterAct
• Pierre Hamon
• Vincent C
• Patrik Kuffs
• Jimmy le magicien
• Carol Rondeau et
• Jean Deshaies

[h/t: CAMmagic.org]

Sheldon Casavant at the Whistler Children's Art Festival

From ArtsWhistler.com, Whistler Children's Art Festival August, 13 & 14, 2011:

Passionate about magic from a young age, Sheldon Casavant honed his skills in a real school of Magic and Mystery in Las Vegas. The young magician is one of Canada’s most sought after performers, with a repertoire of magic that is contemporary, fun, and highly interactive. Sheldon’s performances blend fast-paced magic with a friendly patter and playful humour that puts audiences and on-stage participants instantly at ease. Combining sophisticated artistry and casual humour, Sheldon will charm children and parents alike.

Murry Hatfield on /A\ News Vancouver Island

Watch this YouTube clip, Incredible Evening of Magic with Murray Hatfield, on /A\ News Vancouver Island:




To purchase tickets for An Incredible Evening of Magic or for more information visit MagicInVictoria.com

Calgary: The Amazing James Randi

From the CAM website:

James Randi has an international reputation as a magician and escape artist, but today he is best known as the world’s most tireless investigator and demystifier of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims.
...

Join Randi for a lecture at the University of Calgary as well as a special Meet and Greet event. Meet and Greet event takes place at Club Sapien: 1140 10th Ave SW at 11:30am.

[Edited Sept 22 as per comment below to reflect 4pm meet and greet time.]

The lecture will be on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM (MT)

Visit the CAM website for event details or to purchase tickets.

A Tribute to James Randi was recently published over at iTricks.com.

Shawn Farquhar at the 2011 Midwest Magic Jubilee

Can't wait until 2012 to see him in Chilliwack?  You can see Shawn Farquhar perform and lecture is at the 2011 Midwest Magic Jubilee.  The Jubilee runs from Aug 11 -13, 2011.  Visit their website for details.

Chilliwack: SECRETS with Shawn Farquhar

See Shawn Farquhar perform on Saturday, February 25, 2012!

From the Chilliwack Cultural Centre website:

The Chilliwack Arts & Cultural Centre Society presents

SECRETS with Shawn Farquhar
Special Presentation

Shawn offers a fast paced experience that will draw everyone into the entertainment so you will not soon forget. As the International Federation of Magic Societies’ Grand Prix World Champion of Magic, Shawn knows the right blend of magic and comedy to make every audience member believe in the brilliance of illusion.

Read more.

Halifax: Gazzo lecture

Edited August 9th to add:
Rain forced the event organizers of the Halifax International Busker Festival to cancel yesterday's events.  Hopefully the weather will improve and everyone will get a chance to see Gazzo in action!

From ConjurersCourt.ca:

Gazzo’s lecturing on Sunday, August 14 at 7:00 pm
Split Crow Pub

Visit their website for more details and to RSVP.

[h/t: @magicinfo_ca]

[Guest post] The new Browser's Den opens in Toronto

The Browser's Den of Magic opened up in its new location last week.  Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to step foot into the new shop.  One of our regular readers, however, not only visited the new shop, he wrote about the experience in the form of a guest post.

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

--
THE NEW BROWSER'S DEN OPENS IN TORONTO
A guest review by "The Magic Demon"*

From the world famous Yorkdale shopping mall and its easily accessible TTC subway stop it is a short walk down Dufferin Street.

From anywhere by car, the ample free parking out front is a godsend in parking-challenged Toronto.

It's set back a bit from the street, so you really have to go looking for it. The big Red Lobster building is easily seen from Dufferin but our destination is in the strip plaza just behind it. In its large front window
there appears to be theatrical red curtains pulled aside for a display of some of the marvels to be found for sale within.

You first enter a small foyer. You stop for a moment. On the walls you see impressive photographs and awards that have been presented to its owner. Right away you realize - this is no Joe Schmoe operation - this place is the "real deal".

Suddenly you enter the main room - and you are in a magicians' paradise! Truly an Aladdin's cave of magic, of books, of wonders yet to be purchased and revealed.

This is the impressive new home of The Browser's Den at 3220 Dufferin Street in Toronto, the city's oldest brick and mortar magic shop.

When owner Jeff Pinsky found out that the lease on his old location at Bathurst and Eglinton was up and that the old plaza was scheduled for redevelopment into condos he knew he had to look around immediately for a new address. Wanting to keep centrally located but also insisting upon better customer parking, he has done well to establish The Den's new home so quickly and so successfully.

We regular customers all enjoyed the old Den but its interior design could most charitably be described as "cheap and cheerful". Not that any of us cared. What mattered was the camaraderie of its customers and the humour and positive atmosphere created by Jeff and his employees - all still available in abundance (I am happy to report) at the new location too.

The appearance of the new Den is something totally different and unexpected. For starters, the main room seems huge. A commendable illusion because its retail floor square footage is probably almost the same as in the old shop. But the massively high ceiling plus an unusually beautiful stone floor create the sense of enormous space. Space to breathe in magic. Space to stop and look around. Space to enjoy the wonderful books over in one corner across the floor from the long main counter. I was immediately drawn to it and relieved to discover that The Den has maintained its reputation for housing an outstanding collection of magic books for sale.

Yet despite its perceived size the new Den still feels extremely comfortable to visit. Its relaxing colours consist of subdued browns and beiges with accents of white and black. Red signs and colourful framed magic posters cover much of its extensive wall space. And rather than using conventionally uniform retail lighting, there is an intriguing interplay throughout the shop of light and shadows falling mysteriously here and there - drawing your eyes immediately from one magical goody to another on display in the eclectic glass and wooden cabinets lining almost all its walls. Looking skywards there is a kind of slanted awning with reddish rooftop tiles up there all the way around the main room - making you temporarily question whether you are actually inside or are you outside? It's a kind of visual paradox that seems ideal for a magic shop.

Further inside (and across the floor from the main display counters) we come to "The Table". No need to tell fellow magicians what that means! And it's no longer a merely functional card table surrounded by uncomfortable folding metal chairs like at the old Den. The new Den's table is of tastefully finished light coloured wood in a classic oval shape. It's surrounded by matching classy solid wooden chairs with very comfortable green cushioning. They're all placed atop a luxurious red Persian style rug that together create yet another illusion - that of a very intimate space within the main room in which to share tricks and talk with your fellow magic enthusiasts.

The Den's new laid back ambience may require an adjustment of attitude from some old customers who were more accustomed to its brightly lit "cheap and cheerful" past. However the vast majority responded favourably to it right away when I visited. Looking around and soaking up the mood you may also feel (as I did) memories evoked of the great glory days of magic long gone and far away. But of course it's all modern and up to date too. Many of the latest wonders are for sale only inches away from you under the traditional glass top display counters. They run side by side in front of one wall from nearly the front of the shop all the way to the very back (and then around a bit). Hint - you'll find some sweet deals on discontinued effects on sale way in the back. (You're welcome).

If you ask very politely, you may also be shown "the future." In the back (still under construction) is an area designated for children's parties and private lectures/shows. Even further back is a partially hidden staircase leading up to a top secret room - dare I even mention it? - a Browser's Loft, if you will. Its future purpose is currently a complete and utter mystery.

Of course Jeff P and Shawna and Jeff H and Adam et al are all still as welcoming and hospitable as ever. They are friendly, funny, helpful people who could make any location feel like a home away from home for regulars, for new customers and for magicians temporarily visiting Toronto alike.

You must visit the new shop as quickly as you can and experience its unique atmosphere for yourself. If you think brick and mortar shops are dead, think again. This one has not only been reborn - it has been  significantly enlarged and improved. My guess is once you've visited it you'll be back again and again - and again. I know I will.


*Disclaimer: The author of this review has no personal, financial or business relationship with The Browser's Den in any way shape or form aside from being a regular customer for almost five years. The opinions expressed are his and his alone and may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner whatsoever without the prior written consent of Hockey Night in Canada. Thank you.



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

Toronto: Abracadabaret at Chalkers in August

The next Abracadabaret (formerly Friday Night Magic) will be on Friday, August 19th at Chalkers (247 Marlee Ave, Toronto).

From the Abracadabaret website:

We’re interrupting our summer hiatus to bring you another fantastic show. Why… ’cause we feel like it. Take a break from the beautiful (and boiling) summer weather and join us back at Chalker’s for an evening of magic and mystery featuring:

James Alan – Sleight of Hand Magician
Mysterion the Mindreader
Jason Palter – Comedy Magician

Hosted by Matthew DiSero

Read more.

To purchase tickets or learn more about this event, visit the Abracadabaret website.

Dan Trommater: profiled by Leah Morrigan

First it was James Alan.  Now it's Dan Trommater being deconstructed by image consultant Leah Morrigan at her blog In the Key of He.

From her post, "Follow the magic leader":

Dan punctuates presentations with magic to lead the audience in the shared experience of wonder and gives them a glimpse into their child-like selves. His tricks challenge assumptions of his audience and they are able to experience reality in a new way, and this is really cool. I say that because I do the same thing with image work.

Read more.

Sheldon Casavant: updated tour schedule

Sheldon Casavant, Alberta magician and author of the illustrated children's book, "Morton the Magician and His Magnificent Magic Show" has updated his tour schedule.

According to the schedule, there he's doing a number of public shows in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.  Catch him if you can!

Toronto: Oh, Ryan

From the Abracadabaret website:

Oh, Ryan (Lost at Sea Theatre)

Written and performed by Shawn DeSouza-Coelho
Directed by Chai Lavie and Emma Dines
416.504.7529
http://www.shawnathanmagic.com/

Read more.

There will be 7 performances of the show this month.

Lee Asher to be interviewed at Modern Manipulator

From ModernMainpulator.com:

We at Modern Manipulator are proud to announce an upcoming live video interview with Lee Asher.

It will be held on the 11th of August at 8PM EST [12AM GMT] on the Live section of our site. It will be one hour long. For the first half we will interview him and for the rest he will be answering the questions of our members.

Read more.

Erik Stephany: busking his way to CGT auditions

From the BC Local News article: "Buskers to draw downtown crowds":

Stephany is trying to earn enough money through busking this summer to take him to the Canada’s Got Talent auditions in Vancouver on Sept. 19-20.



“It’s been really fun so far,” he explained.

Read more.

Best of luck Erik!  We'll keep an eye out for Smarticals when Canada's Got Talent airs!

Magician of the year announced!

Edited August 4th to include link to the announcement on the CAM website.

Richard Forget is the Canadian Magician of the Year! #PCAMCAM2011 #CAM2011less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet ReplyDoug C.
magicinfo_ca

Keep up to date with Richard via his Facebook page "Magic Stripped with Richard Forget."


[h/t: @magicinfo_ca]

Eric Leclerc in Metro Ottawa

From MetroNews.ca:

"It’s the reactions of the kids‹and the other people he dazzles‹that Leclerc says helps him convince his YouTube audience around the world that his magic tricks are more than just magic video editing."

Read more.

Did Shawn Farquhar fool Penn & Teller?

Watch this YouTube video and see for yourself:

Calgary: Houdini's Last Escape in the Calgary Fringe Festival

From See.CalgaryFringe.ca:

Houdini's Last Escape

Playwright: Ryan Gladstone
Director: Ryan Gladstone
Cast: Tara Travis and Christopher Bange

Can Houdini, the greatest escape artist of all time, Escape His Own Death?

Read more.

[h/t: @magicassistant]

Tracey Erin Smith solo show weekend intensive

From soulOtheatre:

Workshop for people wanting to create one-person shows, Memoirs & Explore their own Hero’s Journey. For all levels of experience.
Topics Include: Theme, Characters, Writing from a deep and honest place, Character Improvisation, Plot, Showcasing You, Work-Shopping, Fund-Raising, Marketing, Fringe and Solo Festivals & Self Producing.
TORONTO – AUGUST 12th-14th

Visit soulOtheatre for workshop details.


[h/t: Deborah Fallick]

Live tweeting from CAM/PCAM

Doug Cuff, creator of magicinfo.ca has been live tweeting from the CAM/PCAM Combined Convention: M.A.G.I.C.  Follow Doug at @magicinfo_ca.  Use the tags #CAM2011 and #PCAM2011 #PCAMCAM2011 if you'd like to join in.

Edited to add:

• Mike Segal is also live tweeting and tagging with #PCAMCAM2011.  Follow him at @SorcerersSafari.