Shin Lim: FISM contestant

Shin Lim will be Canada's only entry at the FISM World Championships of Magic 2012 in Blackpool, UK.  He will be competing this July in the category of close-up card magic.

Good luck Shin!


[h/t: Magic Convention Guide]

Women in magic week: wrapping up

In keeping with the schedule at The Magic Castle, this will be the last post this year on the topic of influential Canadian women in magic.  Unfortunately, I don't have time to write detailed posts for the rest of the notable women.  Here they are, in no particular order:

The "ands":

• Murray Hatfield and Teresa
• Trevor and Lorena Watters  
• Gerry and Leonora Frenette
• Magic Mike and Jen Segal
• Dan Morrissey and Phoebe Hancock
• Phil and Evelyn Matlin

Each of the "ands" is a big part of the success of the team as a whole.  These are fabulous women, all of them!

The many, many, magic assistants, like Gwyn Auger, who make the magicians look like miracle workers!  (Let me tell you, box jumping is no easy task.)

The rising stars:

• Rosemary Reid
• Niki Runnalls
• Janna S.
• Hannah Farquhar
• Katie D
• Gabbie D
• Brianna Carlson

Keep an eye out for these talented young ladies! 

Who have I forgotten?

Women in magic: Julie Eng

Continuing the theme of influential Canadian women in magic, the next name that comes to my mind is  Julie Eng.

Sometime in the late 90s, during a chance encounter with David Ben, I learned that Julie would be moving from the west coast to Toronto.  David had great enthusiasm when he shared the news.  I now know why.

In addition to being a wonderful performer, Julie makes "giving back" (to the magic community and to the community at large) a part of her life mission.  Through Magicana, the creation of the Tony Eng Youth Fund, supports youths as they pursuing the art of magic.  Also, her Senior Sorcery program brings live theatre in the form of magic shows to isolated seniors. In addition, the My Magic Hands program touches the lives of children by using magic as a vehicle to build self confidence and skills such as communication, critical thinking, creativity and problem solving.  This program is brought to children with cancer and kids affected by childhood cancer by working with Camp Oochigeas as well as offering sessions at  Holland Bloorview (Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital) for more than six years. 

I have had the privilege of participating with children in the My Magic Hands at a local school.  I marvel at how consistently the program acts as a catalyst for personal growth in the participants.

Thank you Julie for your contributions to the community and to the Canadian magic scene!


--

Related post:  CBC: Joan Caesar and Julie Eng talk about women in magic

New Westminster: Va”RIDE”ity show

From The Record:

Simon Jukes is up to his old tricks.

Jukes, a professional juggler and performer, and the B.C. Ride to Conquer Cancer are presenting their second annual Va”RIDE”ity show featuring two-time world champion of magic Shawn Farqhuar (sic), comedy magicians Trevor Watters and Lorena (who will soon be seen on Canada’s Got talent), the eccentric juggler Simon English, international comedy performer The Checkerboard Guy, The Incredible Underground Circus, magician Brian Cooke, the ELEVATE dance crew, MC/comedian Donovan Dresher. The family-friendly fundraiser is taking place on Saturday, May 12 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Columbia.

Read more.

Reading between the lines, does that mean that Trevor and Lorena will be guest performers on this week's Got Talent finale?

Women in magic: Joan Caesar

You can't talk about influential Canadian women in magic without talking about Joan Caesar!

Joan was probably the very first female magician I ever saw perform live.  (She was a guest performer at one of IBM Ring exchanges back in the mid 90s.)

Joan founded CAM on March 15, 1997 to allow Canada the opportunity to apply for membership to FISM.  In the year 2000, CAM was accepted as a FISM member and Canadian magicians could, for the first time, compete under the Canadian banner at FISM's World Championship of Magic.

Since 1997, Joan has lead the charge for more than 6 national conventions, been International President of IBM (2008-9) and kept a watchful eye on the publication of over 100 issues of Northern Peeks and Northern Sleights.

Thank you Joan for your contributions to the Canadian magic scene!

Chris Mayhew: Scare tactics

Updated October 10, 2017 to update link to video.

This isn't exactly what I had in mind when I talked about honouring Canadian women in magic.

Watch as Ben Train sets up Chris Mayhew on Much Music's Scare Tactics.

From the Scare Tactics YouTube channel:





[h/t: @LeeAsherMagic]

Kitchener: Three ring auction!

From Ron Keller:

The Hamilton, Kitchener and London clubs decided that their ring auction while done every year could be better. Instead of the same old crowd being the same recycled magic every year, it was thought that a three ring auction would provide a better venue and give the auction some much needed freshness.

With that in mind we are having our first annual auction on Saturday, May 12th in Kitchener.  Magic to be auction will be accepted from anyone and with that in mind we are also extending an invitation for others to join this event to buy or sell magic.

We look forward to seeing you or your members for this event.

Auction sheets can be obtained by contacting me. 

Thanks, Ron

Women in magic week

This week at the Magic Castle is "women in magic" week!  What a fabulous idea!

Let's make this an international week to recognize the fantastic females out there!  Which Canadian women in magic deserve honourable recognition for their contributions to the magic community?


From NBC Los Angeles:

For women have long been master magicians in addition to playing the part of the able and quick-footed assistants. And while we're pretty sweet on vintage illusions like the box-disappearing trick, we're keen to see a magician directing the action from her place at centerstage. So when the Magic Castle hosts its first week fully devoted to women working in magic, it is time to take note.  

That week is happily upon us now. Dates? Monday, May 7 through Sunday, May 13. Stars of magic? Oh yes. The roster of top-notch prestidigitators includes Juliana Chen, who is a wizard with the cards, and the Duchess of Deception Joycee Beck. (We long for a cool title like that.) 

Read more.

[h/t: about.com]

St. Catharines: Don't tell mom!!

From Alex Kazam's Facebook page:

Alex Kazam has been featured on MTV, he has consulted for major productions across Canada, and has performed comedy magic around the world. If you haven't seen his show live, now's your chance... 

Don't tell mom!! (A night of burlesque, comedy, music, and magic. BETA V.1.0) ‎ 

12 May at 19:00 at Mahtay Café & Lounge
Read more.

Toronto: Luminato Discount Offer

From Sharing Wonder:

Magic enthusiasts: a special offer* just for you!
We are presenting Mind Over Matter with Luminato and we have just arranged a special  10% discount.

Use this link to BUY and SAVE NOW

Or, call 416-368-4849/4TIX (Password MAGICANA).

Read more.

* This is a limited time offer only. Offer is valid until 11:59PM Sunday May 20, 2012 for online sales only. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday 11am – 7pm and Saturdays 11am to 3pm; the offer is only valid until 4pm on Saturday May 19, 2012.

Offer is subject to availability. Offer cannot be applied to previously purchased tickets or combined with any other offers or promotions.

James Randi: The Unsinkable Rubber Duckies

From Wired:

It sometimes seems like there is a huge swath of the general public that will just believe anything — they are immune to skepticism and compelled to accept the most obvious scams. These delusions can be relatively harmless — believe in spoon-bending and perpetual motion if you must. But some fakers are very, very dangerous. At the worst end of the spectrum, in my estimation, are faith healers. They can cause real harm to the victims they parade before the rest of us — and even more to those, as I will show, whom they give false hope and ignore.


Johnny Carson and I shared several illuminating moments on The Tonight Show, the most satisfying one by far being a 1986 episode in which we revealed the blatant cheating and deception of TV evangelist Peter Popoff — the shrieking, frenetic, Bible-flaunting preacher who is still invoking invisible healing from divine sources on TV.

Read more.

[h/t: iTricks]

Montréal: Ben Train and Chris Mayhew

From Grant McSorely:

Ben Train and Chris Mayhew lecture, Playing with your pack:

• When: May 17, 2012, 7pm - 9pm
• Where: Montreal Chinese Community and Cultural Centre
              1088 Clark Street
              H2Z 1K2 
• Price:  $20 before May 13
             $30 after
• Payment: Paypal: Visit www.montrealmagicjam.com (coming soon!) or transfer your payment to gmcsorley@gmail.com
                 Cheque: Please make cheques payable to Grant McSorley and mail to
                              6362 Christophe Colomb
                              Montreal, Qc
                              H2S 2G7

The info will be up on our site shortly, and there is a FB event at http://on.fb.me/JwV3m8

CAM Awards

With thanks to Doug Cuff from MagicInfo.ca for live tweeting the awards presentation at the convention!  (And for live tweeting the rest of the convetion too!)

Bill Abbott is Canadian magician of the year! #hamCAM2012
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) May 5, 2012

This year, the lifetime achievement award (not always given out) was given to Micky Hades. He couldn't be present, alas. #hamCAM2012
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) May 5, 2012

The Sid Lorraine award went to the very deserving Nick Sacco. #hamCAM2012
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) May 5, 2012

Michael Dardant won the close-up and stage competitions! Only other person to win both (in separate years) is @LeclericShow. #hamCAM2012
— Doug C. (@magicinfo_ca) May 5, 2012

Sherwood Park: Magic wands for local kids

From Sherwood Park News:

Salto Gymnastics Club is going to be using the wave of a magic wand to make people disappear with the hope of seeing some money appear in return.

The Sherwood Park gymnastics club, along with Ellerslie School, will be hosting two magic shows on Saturday to raise funds to support the organization and the school. AbracaDazzle! is performed by Richmond, B.C.-based magician John Kaplan, who has been helped community groups across Canada raise money for various projects through his magic shows for more than 25 years.

Read more.

Edmonton: Abra-Kid-Abra!

From Tix on the Square:

May 5, 2012 - 1 p.m.

Presented by Edmonton Magic Club

MAGICALLY CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW! This is what Abra-Kid-Abra is all about. From full time professionals to magic enthusiasts, the members of the Edmonton Magic Club come together each year to produce a magic extravaganza, specifically designed to raise thousands of dollars for local charities and family-based organizations.

This year, the Edmonton Magic Club is privileged to support the Youth Emergency Shelter Society. Since the 1980’s, YESS has worked with more than 20,000 kids and thousands of families. The shelter is a home where kids who have nowhere else to go can seek caring assistance in working through difficult times.

Read more and buy tickets.

Mike D’Urzo: Turning teen obsession into magical career

From York Region:

Sometimes, Mike D’Urzo wonders where he’d be if he hadn’t gone to Canada’s Wonderland that day back in 1998 as a 15-year-old kid looking for fun on a summer afternoon.

What if he hadn’t happened upon that booth where they sold magic kits?

Read more.

Baltimore: Bill Abbott lecture and workshop

From Denny & Lee Magic Studio newsletter:

June 8:
The Pack Smart Play Anywhere Lecture - by Bill Abbott

"I am completely obsessive when it comes to the Pack Smart Play Anywhere lifestyle. The basic philosophy is rooted in the idea that it's better to fill a stage with personality and entertainment rather than large props and paraphernalia. I will show you, with practical examples, how to stretch and pull every ounce of entertainment out your props, your script and interaction to deliver a show that is high on impact and low on luggage. This lecture could change your opinions, your show and possibly your life."
BILL ABBOTT

June 9:
The Thing Workshop Intensive - by Bill Abbott

"The Thing is one of my favorite tricks of the past decade.
It's not a floating ball effect, it's a discovery of invisible life.
Well made, and a beautiful astonishing effect.”
David Regal
MAGIC Magazine

Read more.

Toronto: Magic at The Annex Live

From Abracadabaret:

Date: Friday, May 18, 2012
Venue: The Annex Live | 296 Brunswick Ave

Our performers are:

• James Alan – Magician, and generally curious character
• Baldini – the resident magician at the Ontario Science Centre
• Bobby Motta – star of the one mans shows Non Fiction and Headgames
• and
• James Harrison – Ontario’s foremost theatrical pickpocket. 

Read more and buy tickets.

Vancouver: Magic and Music at the Rio Theatre

From the Langley Times:

“Until a few months ago, the only salmon I cared about was the one I put on my barbecue,” confesses magician Wes Barker.


“Does that make me a bad person?”


On Saturday, May 5, the Langley native is going to try to atone for his sins by performing in an evening of Magic and Music at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver in order to raise money for TENUK (www.tenuk.org) a non-profit organization dedicated to saving salmon in B.C. waters.

Read more.

Calgary: Ryan Pilling’s Suitcase of Wonders

From Wonder Show:

Next show: Friday May 18th, 2012

Featuring a 2000 year old trick alongside never-before-seen magical innovations, Ryan will present a variety of entertainments to delight and bedazzle*. He’ll defy impossible odds, show you curious mysteries, and you’ll laugh a whole lot along the way.

Read more and buy tickets.