Tony Eng Youth Fund bursary winner and IMX competitor

From Sharing Wonder:

Sawyer reached out to us through the Tony Eng Youth Fund. At 16, his passion for magic appears to have no bounds and magic has enriched his life for the last four years. We provided Sawyer, a community-driven young man teeming with leadership qualities, a bursary to help him attend the Canadian Association of Magicians (CAM) 2012 convention. In his application, Sawyer expressed a heartfelt desire to meet Vancouver-based magician and President of CAM, Shawn Farquhar. We were pleased to provide  Sawyer with the grant to achieve this goal and to also compete in the magic competitions at CAM.

Read more.

From the CAM website:

This year there is a special addition to the convention where youth were invited from around the globe to compete in a contest that is endorsed by FISM.  This is the first contest of it’s kind and representing Canada is Sawyer Bullock of Ontario.

Read more.

Wishing Sawyer the best of luck at the 2012 International Youth Magic Championships!

Toronto: Paul Wildbaum workshop at Clown Alley

Paul Wildbaum Workshop Meeting-  May 22, 2012
Doors open at 6:45pm
Meeting starts at 7:30pm - 10:00pm
Location: Herbert Carnegie Centennial Centre, 580 Finch Avenue West
(West of Bathurst on North Side) ... in the Skaters Lounge


[h/t: Deborah Fallick]

One handed CUT- A-THON winner!

From Sharing Wonder:

Congratulations to Sebastian Dagenais, winner of the Canadian Association of Magicians (CAM) 2012 One Handed CUT- A-THON contest.

The young and talented Sebastian hails from Montreal and performed 119 one-handed cuts for three rounds.

Read more to find out what Sebastian won!

Victoria: Mirth and Magic

From Murray Hatfield's Facebook page:

Come on out May 27/12 for some family fun entertainment. Special acts, as well as the first half of the show is a competition for the best “Comedy Magician” which is voted on by the audience. Following intermission the audience will be treated to some of Victoria's finest entertainers.


Read more.

When Magic Tom was king of English TV...

From The Suburban:

For kids my age (six in 1969) and for Montrealers in general, one of the kings - if not the king- of Montreal English TV was “Magic Tom” Auburn. Not only was he a skilled magician, but he had an appealing, gentle manner which put children and their parents at ease. Numerous local children appeared on his broadcast, performing a song or skit, and helping with his tricks.

(I have a vague memory of being on the show myself, but I seem to have blacked it out - apparently, I was a little clumsy.)

And Auburn was not only a TV institution (in French, as well, by the way). He made numerous live appearances throughout the community. I myself saw him in the late 1970s at the YM-YWHA in Chomedey, where he put on a wonderful show. And an issue of The Suburban on June 18, 1969 carried a Van Horne Shopping Centre ad promoting an appearance by him there “for the kiddies,” followed by a Hawaiian trio.

Read more.

2012 FISM contestant update

From Shawn Farquhar's comment on the post Shin Lim: FISM contestant:

A note of correction. Canada has both Shin Lim and Hyun Joon Kim as representatives for the FISM championship in Blackpool, UK. Under the current regulations for FISM, the representatives had to be selected from the finalist of the NACM that was held in 2011. Shin Lim and Richard Forget were the only two magicians with Canadian citizenship to be finalists. Richard chose not to compete and the CAM selected an alternate to allow another deserving magician the opportunity to champion for Canada.

Thank you very much Shawn for making the time to share this information with us!

Best of luck to Shin Lim and Hyun Joon Kim!

Christian Cagigal in Montreal

From The Charlebois Post:

Some shows, like Christian Cagigal’s Now and at the Hour, presented by Beyond the Mountain Productions and the Rialto Theatre in benefit of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, are best understood in terms of the magical, inimitable ambiance they create. In the spirit of that magic, forget that this is a review for a few lines, and do as Cagigal asks his audience: “Humour me.”

Read more.

Toronto: Haim Goldenberg

From Facebook:

Sunday, 10 June 2012

Ready to play mind-games? 

Then you should see Haim Goldenberg’s show!
With his captivating personality, and sense of humor to boot, celebrity mentalist Haim Goldenberg transforms the predictability of everyday life into an enchanting fantasy which grips and entangles.

Let the star of GoldMind take you to a Voyage to your Mind and uncover phenomena like mind reading, suggestions, telekinesis and much more…
It is a high energy, interactive, utterly funny, inspiring and mind-blowing show you don’t want to miss - it is an experience that will leave you breathless


Read more.

[h/t: Deborah Fallick]

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