01 September 2014

Who's where September 2014

Leave a comment on this post to let us know where you're going to be this month!










Ron Guttman at St. George Applefest and Brighton Applefest Sept 20 and 27th respectively.



31 August 2014

Jason Palter is the special guest at the Magic Café

Visit Jason Palter at the Magic Café:

HWDYKM answers: part 3

The third post in a short series of answers to those true or false questions asked in the post "How well do you know me?"

Question seven:  True or False?
The person behind the curtain at Canada's Magic performs / performed magic professionally.
All of you correctly guessed that I don't perform magic professionally.


Question eight:  True or False?
The person behind the curtain at Canada's Magic performs / performed magic semi-professionally.
Four of you (66%) of you correctly guessed that I don't perform magic semi-professionally either.


Question nine:  True or False?
The person behind the curtain at Canada's Magic performs / performed with live animals.
One of you (16%) correctly guessed that I've performed with live animals.  Well, demonstrated really.  Once.  Under duress.  In an ill-fitting borrowed jacket.  With a borrowed dove.  At a NYCAN in a room filled with magicians.   I don't know who was more surprised at the success of the dove production -- me or the dove.


Question ten:  True or False?
The person behind the curtain at Canada's Magic box jumps / jumped.
One of you correctly guessed that I've boxed jumped.  (I wonder, was it the same person who guessed I've performed with live animals?)  I've box jumped in front of a live audience for a Christmas show.  I have tremendous respect for the folks that box jump for a living.  Doubly so for the ones who do it and work with live animals.


Question eleven:  True or False?
The person behind the curtain at Canada's Magic has recently (within the past 5 years) published a book.
Two of you (33%) thought that I've recently published a book.  I have not.  Which means that I'm not Ariel Frailich, in spite of the fact that many of you thought I was.  Very high praise.  But not true.


How are you scoring so far?

Anyone out there want to change your guess as to who I am?





Top 5 posts in August 2014

It's been another busy month at Canada's Magic, with over 40 posts and more than 1900 page loads.  The most viewed posts were:
5. Grateful for our August sponsors - I'm very appreciative of your support!
4. Canadian magicians and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge - New links added as they become available.
3. Win tickets to see "An honest liar" in Toronto - Do any of last month's winners have a review to post?
2. Random thoughts from Sorcerers Safari 2014 - If you're a kid or teen interested in magic, definitely check out Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance Camp!

and the most viewed post this month  ...
1. [Guest post] Kreskin at the CNE - Thank you to The Magic Demon for this popular guest post!

30 August 2014

Video: Shawn Farquhar Fool Us REVEALED

From Shawn Farquhar's Facebook page:






Keep this comment from Shawn in mind,
"Josh Burch, the creator of this video, has a great sense of humor and with video "exposures" like this on YouTube it makes it much harder to find a more logical explanation."

29 August 2014

Eric Leclerc and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Donations to ALS research can be made at ALS.ca

A reminder that  Eric Leclerc can be seen at le Festival de magie de Québec 2014.

One of my favourite video's so far ....

From the Lecleric Show's YouTube channel:

TFO 24.7 interviews Eric Leclerc

From TFO 24.7's YouTube channel:
Nous avons plongé pendant un après-midi dans le monde d’Éric Leclerc, un magicien franco-ontarien de la région d'Ottawa qui vous coupera le souffle avec sa dextérité et vous charmera avec sa joie de vivre.

28 August 2014

Shawn Farquhar at TRICS 2014

From TRICS convention:
October 2-4

Talent includes:
  • Shawn Farquhar
  • Kostya Kimlat
  • Kainoa Harbottle
  • Francis Menotti
  • Vincent Hedan
  • Kozmo and
  • Mark Zacharia
Read more and buy tickets.

27 August 2014

Daniel Steep on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

From Daniel Steep's Facebook page:

Dave Curran and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

A reminder that donations to ALS research can be made at ALS.ca

From Dave Curran's Facebook page:



26 August 2014

Murray SawChuck on Wizard Wars tonight

According to iTricks and Steve Valentine, Murray SawChuck will be appearing on Wizard Wars tonight on Space.  Apparently last week, Chris Funk and Ekaterina lost to Gregory Wilson and Justin Flom.

Go, Murray, go!


Advertising the Festival de magie de Québec!

Every year, the Festival de magie de Québec has some wonderfully creative advertising.  In 2011 it was this magical billboard. In 2012, it was la disparition.  In 2013, pouvoirs magiques.   This year, watch le balai magique:





[via EricESPINOSA8]

25 August 2014

IncrediBrent and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

A reminder that donations to ALS research can be made at ALS.ca

From IncrediBrent's Facebook page:


24 August 2014

Phil Pivnick and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

A reminder that donations to ALS research can be made at ALS.ca

From Phil Pivnick's YouTube channel:
So, my sister nominated me to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Make a donation, or dump a bucket of ice water on my head. Well, 8 hours later, I did both. 
This is the video of (sorta) getting ready for the Ice Bucket Challenge, and then dumping the ice over my poor little self.

Canadian magicians and the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Updated September 7th to add:



Updated September 6th to add:

Updated August 29th to add:

Updated August 26 to add:


Quite a number of magicians have taken the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge:  Isaac HaberHarris IIILazarus Benson, Rich Ferguson, Wayne Gonce, Justin WillmanMichael TrixxThomas HaydenBrad Ross, Penn & Teller, Piff the Magic Dragon & Mac King, and many, many more I'm sure.

Alex Seaman thought that it was time for Canadian magicians to get into the game.  At Sorcerers Safari Magic and Performance camp, he took the challenge and then challenged the entire camp.  The campers took up the challenge, with a little help from Steve Valentine.  Watch what happened next:





They're looking at you:  Jon Armstrong, Jay Sankey, David Acer, Johnny Ace Palmer, Oscar Munoz, Eric Buss, Steven Kline, Greg Frewin, Dan Harlan, Lee Asher, Aaron Fisher, Nathan Kranzo, Danny Garcia, Michael Ammar, The Buck Twins, Soma, Shawn Farquhar, Eric Jones, Justin Flom, Joe and Carol Givan, Lance Burton, Penn & Teller, Criss Angel, Wayne Houchin, Nathan Burton, Mac King, Rich Bloch, David Blaine, David Copperfield, Dan Sperry, Homer Liwag, Chris Kenner, The Amazing Johnathan and Anastasia, Jordan Gomez, Alex RamonJustin Willman, Eric Mead, Kevin James, Jen & Mike Segal!


Donations to ALS research can be made at ALS.ca


23 August 2014

Broken wand: David Allan Smith

We were notified by Dennis Schick, the editor of the Broken Wand in the International Brotherhood of Magician's magazine, The Linking Ring, of the passing of David Allan Smith.

From Your Life Moments:
SMITH, David Allan (Al) - 1924 - 2013 Died peacefully in the early morning hours on Monday, November 25, 2013 at the Extendicare Mapleview. He was a Second World War Veteran. Beloved husband of Joan. Predeceased by his sister-in-law Gwen Brighty. Caring father of Pat, Garr (Mary) and Wendy Piper (Jeff). "Pop" to Stephen Smith (Lorraine), Marnie (fiance Andy), Mitch and Bren Piper. Great grandfather of Spencer Smith. "Uncle Smit" to John Brighty (Lori Johnson), Sue Brown (Doug) and Kevin Brighty. For many years he was a dedicated member of Kiwanis, holding several positions including Lieutenant Governor. In recent years, he enjoyed the fellowship of his former Kiwanians at their regular Tuesday lunches at Reggies. He was very proud of the fact that he was a Kiwanian as well as a honourary Rotarian. He was a long time Rotary judge at the Community Day Parade and he was heavily involved in the Musical Comedy Guild designing and constructing sets. He had a fascination with magic and performed at numerous shows. 
Read more.


22 August 2014

Random thoughts from Sorcerers Safari 2014

  • Mike and Jen Segal are totally awesome and inspiring people!
  • It is tremendous that organizations such as Ellusionist support Sorcerers Safari. (Kids, did you remember to send a quick "thank you" e-mail to them for the generous gift you received?  Do it now!  -- Mom)
  • The safety and welfare of the children is an absolute priority.
  • Spotted: Mike and Jen SegalDan WeibeEric LeclercAaron FisherDave MitchellCarey LauderLee AsherDick JoinerSteven Kline, Lisa & Michael CloseBen Train, Chris MayhewMike D'UrzoChris PilsworthRosemary ReidJoan CaesarEvelyn and Phil Matlin, Becki & Bill Wells, Philip DaCostaMark Correia,  Lorena & Trevor WattersChris WestfallScott HammellAlex Seaman, LoranAsi Wind and Steve Valentine ... I'm sure there were more!
  • It's very cool to see that some of the youth of today have such a philanthropic bent.  I'm thinking here of Mark Correia's "Escaping Parkinson's" stunt to raise money for Parkinson's research project which raised over $15000 and Alex Seaman entry in to the "Ice Bucket Challenge" to raise funds for ALS (video to be seen shortly).
  • One just never knows where Aaron Fisher is going to appear.
  • It can get mighty cold at night.
  • The star-gazing is incredible away from all the city lights!
  • Cube Zags are cool.
  • There's always something to do or someone to talk to.  If you want "down time" you have to make it! (And risk missing out!)
  • I saw a deer and a rabbit in the woods.  And a hummingbird too!
  • Egg plants can be really big.
  • Bonfires can have blue flames! (Merci Loran!)
  • Candlelit lanterns are wonderful.
  • The campers' show was all kinds of AWESOME! Twenty-seven brave performers in just under 2 hours!  My favourite from the campers' show was Holden & Brett's 3 card monte routine.  (Although Ava and Steve's partnership came a close second.)
  • To answer a question asked by Doug, Steve Valentine may very well be taller than David Acer.  
  • If you haven't met Steve Valentine yet, get thee to the Browser's Den for the "Getting together with Steve Valentine" event.  He's a wonderful person.  You're welcome.
  • Being a cabin counselor is a tough gig.  The magic has to come second to taking care of the kids.  (Kind of like being a parent.)
  • The kids at camp are were very polite.  They spontaneously thanked me for interviewing them!  Impressive.
  • Perfect Magic also brought thoughtful gifts for the campers!  (Kids, I just said you were polite, so while you're sending your thank you e-mail to Ellusionist, make sure you send one to Perfect Magic too.  Do it now!  -- Mom)
  • Carey Lauder is an incredible photographer.  (See samples of his magic camp from three years back in Vanish magazine.)
  • Chris Mayhew shot some fabulous footage – I can't wait to see this year's camp video!
  • Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp gets better every year!
  • Mike Segal and Mike Toal should be very proud of what they started together over 18 years ago.
  • Sorcerers Safari is full of super nice, caring, talented individuals!

Don't just take my word for it, here's what other people had to say about this summer's magic camp experience:








21 August 2014

[Guest post] Kreskin at the CNE

The following is a guest post from an author who wishes to be known as The Magic Demon.  Photos taken during Kreskin's second show at the CNE on Friday, August 15th, 2014.

--

Kreskin loves Canada. And Canada loves Kreskin. He said he thinks of Canada as his second home. Many Canadians even think of him as one of us. No wonder, we've long been enthralled by his charismatic performances, most memorably those also seen throughout the world during his famous 1970s television series taped in Ottawa and Toronto.




Kreskin's twice daily performances at this year's CNE in Toronto is like attending a master class in audience management. With nothing more than his easily recognized voice and considerable stage presence, Kreskin presents a remarkable demonstration of the "powers of suggestion". He says it is definitely not any kind of hypnosis (which he asserts does not exist anyway). Whatever it is, he held the entire audience (both onstage and offstage) spellbound with his supreme confidence and showmanship honed over a lifetime of such performances.





Here Kreskin's "powers of suggestion" render onstage audience members unable to voluntarily control the movement of their own hands and fingers, much to the amusement of the rest of the audience.




During the show Kreskin stopped to chat with this onstage audience member who, under Kreskin's influence, appeared to be unable to remember his own name.



Here Kreskin's influence causes an onstage audience member to believe the woman beside him has eleven fingers, which he repeatedly miscounted, much to his growing bewilderment.



Kreskin concluded his entertaining performance with an homage to Dunninger: "For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't [believe], none will be good enough". Kreskin's shows follow in the tradition of Dunninger's who originated the disclaimer.

Anyone within traveling distance of the CNE should see Kreskin this summer. His act may be old school but he still knocks it out of the park each and every time. At nearly 80 he is an inspiration. Dare I say "amazing"? There is so much to learn from watching him. He's well worth the price of admission.





Also at this year's CNE in Toronto, ventriloquist Michael Harrison presents two shows daily. His laughter-filled act is clever and fast paced and a total audience pleaser.

Here Michael does the talking for both his dummy and also for an audience member in a climax to his act that left his delighted audience wishing for more.

Photo taken during Michael's second CNE show on Friday, August 15th, 2014.





If you plan to attend this summer's CNE in Toronto you should be sure to check out the "Browser's Den of Magic" booth in the Hobby Building. Although primarily designed to create interest among newbies, there's some extra good deals on offer that should be of interest to all.

Here Browser's Den of Magic associate Ahmed entertains an enchanted young fan.

Photo taken at the CNE on Friday, August 15th, 2014.




 ~~~~


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





20 August 2014

Festival de magie de Québec 2014

29 au 31 août 2014 

Read more and buy tickets.

Featuring:
  • Daniel Coutu
  • Nicolas Gignac
  • Danys Hamel
  • Éric Leclerc
  • Sébastien Louis
  • Marc Trudel
  • Christian Cagigal
  • Mathieu Bich
  • Stéphane Bourgoin 
  • Marc Trudel
  • Gustave Coulombe
  • Anthony Drouin
  • Philippe Thériault
  • Vincent Mentalo
  • Stephan Therien

  • and
    Projection du film "An honest Liar" Un film sur James Randi


    19 August 2014

    Report: Asi Wind at the Comedy Nest

    We don’t get out a whole lot. We used to when we were younger, but now, after a day at the magic shop we are happy to go home and relax. But Asi Wind, New York  Mentalist and Mind-Reader, was giving a one man show at the Comedy Nest at the old Montreal Forum and we wanted to see him as we had heard about him of course but never had seen him.

    Read more.