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.

Richmond: Penn & Teller

From River Rock Casino Resort:

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

Penn & Teller have performed together for over thirty years combining the art of magic with comedy. And along the way, they have made the hardest trick of all – a remarkable career that ranges from stage to television to three best-selling books – look easy. Since first teaming up in 1975 when they combined Teller’s silent, occasionally creepy magic with Penn Jillette’s clown college education and juggling expertise, the duo have created an entertainment success story that went from the streets to small clubs to national theatre tours. Their live show has been a hit on Broadway and throughout North America and now has a permanent home at the Rio in Las Vegas. Penn & Teller’s understanding of magic and their ability to relate to audiences with their comedic approach has also garnered serious academic attention … they serve as Visiting Scholars at MIT which is the highest honour bestowed by the school.

Read more.
 

[via Lots of fun, respect in Penn and Teller’s magic moments in The Province]

David Ben's review of "The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini"

Late last year, John Cox at Wild About Houdini posted about Bruce MacNab's book The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini, which details Houdini's 1896 Canadian tour.

From Sharing Wonder:

... David Ben, artistic director of Magicana, has penned a review, “The Handcuff King” for the Literary Review of Canada which has just been released (March 2012: Vol. 21, No. 2, p. 27). According to Ben: “Part biography, part travelogue, part magic book, Bruce MacNab’s The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini follows the exploits of Houdini as he laid the groundwork for becoming a 20th-century icon.”

Read more.

Vote now for CAM Magician of the Year!

Voting is now open for The Canadian Association of Magicians' "Magician of the Year" award!  From CAM:

Below, in alphabetical order, are the four official candidates for the 2013 Canadian Magician of the Year. Each of the candidates were asked to submit a short biography outlining their accomplishments.  Voting comences today and will continue until April 23rd, 2013. The results will be revealed at the CAM JAM Spring edition on April 28th at the Greg Frewin Theatre.  In your eMail inbox will be a communication from the CAM offices via BallotBin.com  In this eMail will be a unique link created just for you to use to select your choice for the award.  Once you have voted it can not be changed.

Read more.

A recap of the process:

• a request for nominations went out in January
• official nominees were announced on March 2nd
• Shawn Farquhar declares on March 3rd, "it is my intention, having already won the award twice, to state in my nominee description that members should not vote for me in the final process."
• voting opens for the official candidates on March 16
• David Ben withdraws from the ballot on March 17

Mayhew and Train: Underground in Washington

From the Society of American Magicians:

Show Producer Mike Miller announced a new idea not offered before at a convention, as an added bonus to those attending the SAM Convention in Washington DC, July 3-6, 2013:

After the Dealer Room closes each night, some of the best close-up performers (some you know and all you should know) will session with the conventioneers till early morning!

Read more.

How exciting to see Chris Mayhew and Ben Train on the list!

Broken wand: Blain Harper

Updated at 4pm to include this link to a tribute to Blain by Lee Elliott.

From Mount Pleasant Group:

Harper, Blain
 
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Blain, on March 15, 2013 at St. Michael’s Hospital in his 41st year. Blain brought humour and magic into the lives of everyone he met and will be sadly missed. Cherished husband to Sophie for 13 years. Adoring father to Kara. Loving son to the late Marilyn (1991) and Robert and his wife Susan. Loving and supportive brother to Jennifer. Devoted uncle “Goofball” to Willow. He will also be missed by his step siblings Alison and Warren Lawtey as well as by his aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was revered by his multitude of friends, neighbours, and colleagues at Yonge & Rubicam where he worked as an Associate Creative Director. Family and Friends may call at PINE HILLS CEMETERY & VISITATION CENTRE, 625 Birchmount Rd., Scarborough (north of St. Clair Ave. E., 416-267-8229) on Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 3-5pm and 7-9pm for visitation. A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 11am in the chapel at Pine Hills.

Read more.

[with appreciation to Lee Elliott for letting us know]

David Peck interviews Jay Sankey

From David Peck Live:

Listen as Jay covers a whole lot of ground talking philosophy, creativity and how magicians have lost their way. Find out why he believes sleight of hand magic is about Bending The Real.

Read more.

Edmonton: Wayne Lee & Sheldon Casavant

From Constant Contact:

Mark your calendar for Saturday, March 23^rd when two nationally-acclaimed entertainers in hypnosis and illusion come together to share a night of upbeat entertainment at the Royal Alberta Museum Theatre. Hypnotist Wayne Lee and Magician Sheldon Casavant will mesmerize audiences with their interactive mix of humour, mystery and intrigue, all while helping raise funds for the children and youth of Edmonton-based charity Abbottsfield Youth Project.

Read more and purchase tickets.

Toronto: Gaffed Coin Seminar V2

From Morrissey Magic:

Gaffed Coin Seminar with Luiz Castro
March 23
This is a free event.
Read more and order tickets.

Vancouver: 2013 Tri - City 3 of Clubs Magic Convention

From Ring 92's website:

The Vancouver Magic Circle is proud to host the annual Tri-City 3 of Clubs Magic Convention for 2013 in Vancouver, British Columbia and welcomes you to come and join in the fun!

Here's a sneak peek at some of the talent:

• Daryl
• Shoot Ogawa
• Nick Lewin
• John Lovick
• Barry Mitchell
• Louie Foxx

Read more and register.

The Victoria Magic Circle has posted the convention dates: Friday Nov 8th— Sunday Nov 10th, 2013.

“Stars of Tomorrow” at S.A.M. Convention

From Magic Mike Segal on the Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp Facebook group:

The S.A.M. is seeking to hire talented young magicians ages 7 through 17 as Stars of Tomorrow at the 2013 S.A.M. National Convention, July 3-6, at the Marriott Crystal Gateway in Arlington, Virginia. Membership in the S.A.M. or S.Y.M. is not mandatory.

The S.A.M. will hire 6 young magicians to perform as Close-up Stars of Tomorrow and 7 young magicians to appear in the Stars of Tomorrow Stage Show. Those selected will receive a stipend, full convention registrations for the act plus one guardian, and one year free membership in the Society of Young Magicians (S.Y.M.).

Read more.

Broken wand: Stuart Feldman

From the Montreal Gazette:

FELDMAN, Stuart
Suddenly, on Sunday, March 3, 2013. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Rhoda and Leon Grinberg, Judy and Allan Klein of Houston, Texas. Son of the late Rosaline and the late Abbey Feldman. Stuart will be sadly mourned by his nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Read more.
 

Read condolence messages, including one by Richard Sanders, at Paperman and Sons.


[Thank you to Perfect Magic, for sharing the news.]

Eric Leclerc on Zoink'd

Watch Ottawa magician Eric Leclerc, recently on  YTV's show Zoink'd.  His set starts at about 5:20.

Peter Mennie: AbraKIDabra

Peter Mennie will be performing his show AbraKIDabra at the Stockey Centre in Parry Sound on March 13th as well  the Capitol Theatre in Chatham on March 15th.

Winnipeg: Dan Harlan lecture

From Magic Manitoba:

Apr 18
Dan Harlan Lecture
Read more.
 

I had the pleasure of seeing Dan lecture a number of years ago, in the basement of a North York deli.  I still remember the moment he had me make the final tear in his demonstration of Starcle.  Very magical!  And despite the "inscription" on the cover of his lecture notes, I have referred to them often!

Toronto: The Mark Lewis Magic Show

"The Mark Lewis Magic Show" is back at the Lower Ossington Theatre for March Break.

From Ticketwise:

From the second the show starts, right through to the very end, the children will be laughing with delight! The show is 60 minutes of sheer mayhem, madness, and magic! Through his decades of experience, Mark Lewis has achieved a rapport with his young audiences that is unequalled in this area of entertainment!      

Read more and buy tickets.
 

For a limited time, ticket discounts can be found at Parents Canada. 

Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2013

From Arthur Poon:

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

In the evening of April 13th, 2013, A1 Chinese Radio 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 2nd year magician contest to gather a large amount of Toronto professionals 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.

Performance: Stage Magic or Close-Up Magic.
Contestant: All Ages, All Genders
Event date: Apr 13, 2013 (Saturday) 7:30pm
Venue: Market Village (Steeles & Kennedy) (Event will be host in Cantonese. 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 16th, 2013 to waive the $20 entry fee. Any video(s) submitted after March 21th, 2013; a $20 entry fee will be applied.
• When submitting the video, please provide us your name and contact, so we can contact you.  ONE video entry per contestant.

*We will arrange an audition, AFTER March 21, 2013. 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 13, 2013 for the BEST Magician award 2013.

The winner of the competition will be receiving the following:

• “Best Magician 2013” trophy,
• “My favourite Magician”: this will be voted directly by all of the audiences who attend in the competition.
• Your chance to perform live at CNE on with A1 Radio at Canada Day.
• Gift(s) from our main sponsor(s).

Last year, we had given out a brand new smart phone, which included free cell phone plan; the feedback was excellent. For this year, the gift(s) will surely bring you to a new level!!

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

Thanks for sending Arthur!

Buffalo: Bill Abbott headlining March Hare Ball

From the Gene Gordon-Karl Norman IBM Ring 12:

March 23, 2013
George Graham March Hare Ball
Knights of Columbus Fr Justin Council
Headliner: Bill Abbott & Suprises

Read more.

[via Ring 49]

Review: Moose in a Top Hat

From The Tri-City News:

It’s a show that promises plenty of magic, a fair bit of mystery and, in a new twist, a moose serving as the evening’s distinguished MC.

Dubbed Moose in a Top Hat, the show plays on cheeky Canadiana themes between acts by award-winning magicians Matthew Johnson, Christopher Taylor and the husband-and-wife team Trevor and Lorena Watters.

Read more.

Toronto: Scott McClelland lecture

From The Browser's Den:

We PROMISE you that this unique lecture will be one of the most interesting lectures you may ever experience at Browser’s Den!
SCOTT McCLELLAND - SUNDAY, MARCH 24 from 4pm until 6pm. Tickets - Only $10.00 (Please call for tickets, 416-783-7022)
Scott McClelland is the producer of the most extravagant and decadently strange stage shows in Canada, including Carnival Diablo, The Paranormal Show and The NECROMANCER. He has had his own TV Specials on A&E, TLC and The National Geographic Network.

Read more.