20 April 2013

Michael Close at Michigan Magic Day

Today is Michigan Magic Day!  Michael Close, now from Canada, will be lecturing!

From Michigan Magic Day:
****NEWS FLASH-THIS JUST IN**** Also attending will be: LEE ASHER, BEN TRAIN and CHRIS MAYHEW!!! They will be there to hang out, share what they know and learn what you may know. So if you need pointers on a move/trick you’re in luck! I know Lee would love to see your “Asher Twist”.

Read more.

19 April 2013

Toronto: Castro-Morrissey-Simmatis lecture

From Morrissey Magic:
Castro-Morrissey-Simmatis

An afternoon of some of our favorite magic.

This is a free event. Please be our guest, Sunday April 21


Read more.

Toronto: Red Nose District show

From the Red Nose District Facebook page:
Today (April  19)

The Red Nose District show was created to provide a space for new clowns, returning clowns and veteran clowns to create and hone new material in front of a supportive audience. The Red Nose District continues in the tradition of classic Toronto clown shows such as Space Night, Cirque du Poulet and Clown Chowder.

With hosts:
Desolita & Clarence!
(Nicole Ascroft & Sean Michael)

With special guests:
Paul Wildbaum
Carina Gaspar & Stephen La Frenie
Dana Fradkin
Wesley JB
Sketchy the Clown & Light Switch
Cerise Noir
Daniel Girard
Mitzi Reinsilber
Scarlet Black

Read more.

[via: Deborah Fallick]


18 April 2013

Toronto: Maestros Of Magic

From Magicana:
In partnership with Luminato, Magicana is proud to present: Maestros Of Magic

Miguel Puga and Raefal Benatar give us the opportunity to experience magic for both the eyes and the ears; magic that confounds our logic and music that stirs our emotions. It is an unusual pairing, presented by Maestros of Magic. Steve Cohen, another Maestro, strikes a different chord, one that is as intimate as it is intriguing, performed in the ordinarily off-limits opulence of George Brown House.

Read more.

Luminato 2013 runs from June 14th to the 23rd.

16 April 2013

Winner of the Best Magician Contest 2013 announced

From Popular Magic News:
Here is the result of the contest:
Champion Award:  Mr. Keith Brown

My Favourite Magician Award:  Mr. Keith Brown

Read more.
 
Congratulations Keith!


[via Arthur Poon]

15 April 2013

Broken wand: Greg Kramer

From the Montreal Gazette:
Greg Kramer has passed away. In addition to being a fine actor, an excellent director, and an award-nominated author of novels and  short stories, Kramer was also a magician of considerable expertise. He was hired as a consultant by the Stratford Festival to help create the special effects for their recent production of The Tempest starring Christopher Plummer as Prospero.

Read more.

From the CBC:
Montreal's close-knit theatre community is still reeling from the shock of losing Greg Kramer, the 51-year-old playwright, actor, director, songwriter and magician found dead in his apartment Monday — the very day rehearsals began at the Segal Centre for the last play he wrote.

Kramer performed on stages across Canada, the country he made home after leaving Britain in 1981 because of Margaret Thatcher's cuts to arts funding.  
Read more.

From the Globe and Mail:
Riding in on a skateboard as a juggling, fire-breathing Mustardseed in the 1987 Vancouver Playhouse production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Greg Kramer, a free-wheeling and sometimes outrageously multi-talented artist, tripped over his feet and cracked both ankles. He was so high on adrenalin that he carried on until the end of the show.

Read more.



[With appreciation to Phil Matlin for letting me know.]

13 April 2013

New contest for Quebec Magic Festival

From Le Soliel:
C'est en l'honneur de Michel Cailloux, alias Michel le Magicien de la série La boîte à Surprise (1956-1971), que le Festival de magie de Québec lance un tout nouveau concours s'adressant aux magiciens amateurs et professionnels d'à travers le monde souhaitant montrer l'ampleur de leur talent à Québec. Après avoir franchi la première étape d'évaluation, par une vidéo mise en ligne d'ici le 21 juin, les participants sélectionnés seront invités à monter sur la scène du Petit Impérial afin de présenter leur numéro lors des prégalas, qui auront lieu à l'occasion du Festival de magie les 31 août et 1er septembre. Par la suite, les 10 magiciens qui se seront le plus démarqués auront la chance de se produire à nouveau, le 1er septembre en soirée, devant le jury et le grand public à l'Impérial de Québec. Le grand gagnant recevra une bourse de 5000 $
Read more.
 
More information can be found at Festival de Magie de Québec.  The line up for the third season will be announced mid-May.  The festival will run from August 30th to September 2nd.

12 April 2013

11 April 2013

Toronto: Help send a kid to camp

From Sorcerers Safari Facebook page:
April 30th 
The next SLICE OF MAGIC show will help send a kid to camp!! Stand up style magic show with Chris Westfall, Benzi Train & Rosemary Reid! great food, fun raffles and prizes and a good old fashioned amazing time! message me for details!! go reserve/buy tickets from my website. www.chriswestfallmagic.com

Read more.

10 April 2013

Toronto: Slush Powder Lightening Gel contest

From The Browser's Den:
(Free Slush Powder will be given out on Sunday, April 14… the day of the Sorcerer Safari’s Magic Camp Open House at Browser’s Den! And…On that day Jeff will be demonstrating and teaching a couple of fun and easy tricks that can be done with the powder!)
First Prize - $100 Gift Certificate to Browser’s Den
Second Prize - 40% off up to $100 at Browser’s Den
Third Prize - 25% off up to $100 at Browser’s Den
Fourth Prize - 10% off up to $50 at Browser’s Den
Fifth Prize 10% off up to $25 at Browser’s Den 

CONTEST DATE:   SUNDAY, MAY 26
Read more.

09 April 2013

Ryan Pilling lecture at Magician Village

From the Magic Lecture Series Facebook page:
Until April 21st

MagicianVillage proudly presents our next "Magic Lecture Series" Backstage Access Member Exclusive Event with our very own Ryan Pilling!

Read more.
 
From Playing Big Magic's Facebook page:
I created a video magic lecture for members of the MagicianVillage which is live this week. (part of their once-a-month lecture series for just $25 bucks a year... good deal!) Here's one review:
"Just watched Ryan Pilling's lecture in the [members area]. Great lecture. Lots of good advice on scripting, improvisation, thinking about magic and making it your own. Concrete advice on taking a trick, deconstructing it and turning it into a workable, effect. As a mentalist, his prediction 'Suitcase of Wonders' effect is a common sense knock-out prediction (think Master Prediction System) that could save you anywhere from $1000 to $3000 dollars. And he gives you three different methods!"
- Christopher Faria
Read more.
 
Ryan is one of our generous sponsors, the mastermind behind Calgary's Magcial Arts Festival - WowFest and the author of Finding The Funny.



08 April 2013

Broken wand: Peter Reveen

From Reveen's website:
Reveen had great respect for his audiences and became lifelong friends with many of the people who attended his shows.   He will be remembered for his extraordinary sense of humor, his willingness to share his knowledge and advice without expectation of something in return, his generosity and his humble dedication to charity. His incredible memory provided him with an endless supply of stories and jokes that he enjoyed sharing with friends and family.

 
The Reveen family takes comfort in knowing that he is now at peace.  We are proud to have shared him with countless fans, friends and family around the world and we are incredibly grateful for the kind words of support from the many people whose lives he touched.
A memorial service is being planned to honour the great entertainer.

Read more.

From the CBC:
Reveen the Impossibilist, a master hypnotist and illusionist, has died.

Born in Australia in 1935, Peter Reveen passed away Monday morning in Las Vegas. He died as a result of complications due to diabetes and dementia, according to the obituary posted on his website.

He was well-known throughout Atlantic Canada, presenting shows for decades in cities across the East Coast. Over his 50-year career he presented 6,000 live performances throughout Canada, the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom. 

Read more.
 
From the Winnipeg Free Press:
After immigrating to Canada from Australia in 1961, he began his career knocking on the doors of businesses in small towns in British Columbia, offering free tickets to shop owners if they put up his poster in their windows, she said.

As a youth he was a stage magician, but he later studied hypnosis and developed a show that emphasized audience engagement.

He performed in front of packed theatres and campus audiences around the world. But Cathy Reveen said he was particularly fond of entertaining audiences in small communities in Atlantic Canada, where he made his final tour in 2008.

Read more.

From the Merlina mailing list:
Peter J. Reveen (born 1935 in Adelaide, Australia - Died 8 Apr 2013) was a stage hypnotist and illusionist who performed mainly in Canada. He was the "Impossibilist". Mr. Reveen toured as a performer for over 35 years. He came out of retirment in 2007 with a mini-tour which he called The Return of Reveen. He was a founding member of The Magic Castle, was awarded the DRAGON Award in 2000, was manager to Lance Burton and his biography of accomplishments goes on and on. He was married to Coral and had 4 sons, Wayne, Tyrone, Calvin and Peter Jr. His passing leaves a huge void in the world of magic and entertainment. May he Rest In Peace.


Our thoughts are with his sons Wayne, Tyrone, Calvin and Peter Jr as well as extended family and friends.

Toronto: "Reading Writing" book launch

From The Browser's Den:
Book-Signing Event by Author, Ariel Frailich!

READING WRITING, Handwriting Analysis for Magicians & Mentalists’ Book

Sunday, May 5 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm at Browser’s Den of Magic

SPECIAL PRICE FOR BOOK ($45 instead of $55), COFFEE, SNACKS

BONUS: FREE TICK SHEET TEMPLATE FOR THOSE WHO BUY THE BOOK OR PICK UP THEIR BOOK ON THIS DAY.

Dear Magicians & Mentalists,

You are invited to attend the book launch party at the date and time above.

Mr. Ariel Frailich author of past best-selling magic books has finally finished his latest work after almost 4 years of work.  It is one of the most unique books for magicians, mentalists and hobbyists I have ever seen. READING WRITING is hardcover and 196 pages in length and loaded with illustrations.

Read more.

07 April 2013

James Randi speaks about Penn and Teller

Randi's comments on Penn's tribute to him .....

From the James Randi Educational Foundation:
I can’t tell you how proud I am of The Guys. If I had anything to do with their worldview or their stunning success, I will only say that without their personal integrity, and their adherence to the best principles of both show business and fair treatment of their audiences, they could not have received this very prestigious honor. They are among the leading voices for rationality in the world today, and I know they will continue speaking truth through the Bullshit — hey, that’s a good name for a show! They have never disappointed me, they have never let me down in any way — something I cannot say about all those persons to whom I have reached out — and I am confident not only of their continued success, but of their ability to delight me in all ways. My personal love and congratulations.

Read more.

Toronto: Dan Hauss and Brent Braun lectures

From Morrissey Magic:
Dan Hauss Lecture at Morrissey's Saturday May 4th 2013

Dan Hauss, the creator of Flow, Rattled, Lit and Sleeping Queen (just to name a few),has a wealth of unpublished underground magic to share with you!

His creative talents have been a secret source for many top magicians including David Blaine and Paul Harris. With many more exciting creations soon to be launched, Dan Hauss will let you into his world of magic. He will show you how to use magic in your everyday life to give you a social edge, meet people, and be the life of the party.

Read more and buy tickets.


Also from Morrissey Magic:
Brent Braun Lecture at Morrissey's Saturday May 18th 2013
A professional performer for over a decade, Brent Braun creates exceptionally visual magic that is both pure and entertaining. During his years as a magic dealer, he came to understand that many of the effects released into the market today are “pipe dreams”, and are deceptively advertised. Due to this realization, Brent has a firm commitment to only release products that he has tested and used in the real world, in “under fire” situations. Each detail in his effects has been thought out and worked out. Details such as angles, practicality, and impact have always driven Braun's creativity. Every mistake that could be made has been made, analyzed, and corrected. You can be assured that any effect by Brent Braun is thorough, proven, and powerful.
Read more and buy tickets.
 
Check out Morrissey's website for information on their Combo Lecture Pass.

06 April 2013

Toronto: The Business of Auditioning

From the Tent Talk in the Lab Facebook page:
Wednesday, 10 April 2013

Tent Talk in the Lab - April edition!
THE BUSINESS OF AUDITIONING

You are the product.

But you are also the Marketing Director. And the Brand Advisor. And the Executive Director of your acting career. So how do you wear all these different hats when auditioning as a theatre artist? And how do you leave those other roles at the door when you walk into the audition room?

Read more.
 

[via: Deborah Fallick]

James Alan on Daytime Toronto

Daytime Toronto recently aired a segment with James AlanWatch James impress host Val Cole!

05 April 2013

Calgary: Fun Camp

From Fun Camp Canada:
Welcome Friends, Clowns, Magicians, Balloon Twisters, Facepainters, Childrens' Ministry Workers, Family Entertainers, Storytellers and Family to the new blog of Fun Camp Canada!  We're so excited to be able to blog this year's information so that you can 'follow' the blog and keep up to date with all the latest in Camp Information!

To begin with, many of you have been inquiring about a few basics for Fun Camp this year....  Here are a few of your answers...

Camp is May 23 - 26, 2013(Thursday noon to Sunday noon).  Keep checking the "Schedule" page of this blog for the latest updates to exactly what's going on at camp this year.

Read more.

[via Randy Burtis]

04 April 2013

Toronto: "Metamagic: An Introduction" book launch

From the "Metamagic: An Introduction Book Launch" Facebook page:
Metamagic: An Introduction Book Launch
Sunday, April 14th, 2013
The Cameron House (@ Queen and Spadina)

The evening is very informal. Come and have a drink and stay as long as you'd like. Maybe buy a book ($16.00 is the price). I will be putting the book live (via the powers of Bluetooth tethering) on the web at the party so that everybody around the world can join in the fun!
The Cover for the book is above and the Details for the book below:
The art of magic has reached a crisis point.

Read more.

03 April 2013

Montreal: Magic workshop for children

From Montreal Families:
The Amazing Todsky is offering a four-week series of magic lessons that will teach participants how to do tricks with coins, playing cards, rope, paper and more.

There will be a session in April beginning on April 4 and continue to April 25. The May session starts on May 9 and continues to May 30.

Read more.


[via Perfect Magic]