Hoffman, who began performing the same year he first started learning magic, won the Under-18 Amateur Magician competition sponsored by Miracles and Magic, according to his mother.
In 2013, he was awarded a scholarship from Ultimate Magic Productions to attend the Sorcerer's Safari magic performance camp in Ottawa, Canada. [Editor's note: the camp is in Haliburton, ON.]
"He likes the idea of doing the magic right in front of someone," Mrs. Hoffman said.
"No smoke and mirrors," her son chimed in.
Has the teen found his life's calling?
"I think so," Hoffman said.
Read more.
13 March 2016
Phil Hoffman in the Northwest News
From Northwest News:
Labels:
# media,
~Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp
12 March 2016
Shin Lim in the Huffington Post
From the Huffington Post:
[via Clive Court]
I saw my first magic show when I was 6 years old at a friend's birthday party. While I was easily fooled at that age, I remember not being impressed by the magicians 'tricks.' Now, twenty-something years later, the only moment of magic I witness is when a new episode of Scandal is uploaded to Netflix. So when I came across Shin Lim, an internet 'sleight of hand artist' (aka magician) with 17.5 Million video views, I wanted to find out how someone practicing an art form I thought was dead, could engage and entertain the easily distracted modern audience. By melding new media, music, and sleight of hand card tricks, Lim, a self taught playing-card fiend, returns simplicity to the spectacle of magic. And if I'm honest, something about his authenticity makes even skeptical 6-year-old me believe in the wonder of magic - at least for a few minutes.
Read more.
[via Clive Court]
11 March 2016
Ottawa: "Magic Monday" March
March 28th, with Gabriel Le Marquand Perreault, Steven Lafond, Alex Boyer, and Eric Leclerc!
From Gabriel Le Marquand Perreault's Facebook page: A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.
From Gabriel Le Marquand Perreault's Facebook page: A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.
Je suis très heureux de vous annoncer que le lundi 28 mars prochain à 21h dans le cadre de MAGIC Monday à LIVE on Elgin...
Posted by Gabriel Le Marquand Perreault on Sunday, 6 March 2016
10 March 2016
Calgary: Malcolm Russell and Atsushi Ono
From Malcolm Russell's Facebook page:
A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.
[via Gwyn Auger]
A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.
Hey everyone! Here it is - the biggest public show I've put together so far. One night only, and it's coming up fast! It...
Posted by Malcolm Russell on Thursday, 3 March 2016
[via Gwyn Auger]
Labels:
_Calgary,
-AB,
+Canada,
Atsushi Ono,
Malcolm Russell
09 March 2016
Toronto: Best Magician Contest 2016
From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook group:
"Best Magician Contest 2016"
Hello all Magic Lovers, the BEST MAGICIAN CONTEST is BACK for you. This is your opportunity to show your skills.
In the evening of April 16th, 2016, A1 Chinese Radio (http://www.ccue.com/a1_radio/web/) 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 5th year magician contest to gather a large amount of Toronto magicians 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.
This might be the LAST YEAR we are having the contest at MARKET VILLAGE because this famous landmark will be renovating very soon. Hence, this is a historical moment for all magic lover to witness the contest of BEST MAGICIAN one LAST TIME at Market Village.
This Year, we will also have Lee Asher, Jim Tam, Jeff Pinsky and Magic Mike to be our judges.
Performance: Stage Magic or Close-Up Magic.
Contestant: All Ages, All Genders
Event date: Apr 16, 2016 (Saturday) 7:30pm
Venue: Market Village (Steeles & Kennedy)
(Event will be host in Cantonese and English. 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 29th, 2015 to waive the $20 entry fee. Any video(s) submitted after March 30th, 2015; a $20 entry fee will be applied.
- When submitting the video, please provide us your name and contact, so we can contact you.
*We will arrange an audition, AFTER we got your videos. 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 16, 2016 for the BEST Magician award 2016 & People choice award. ONE VIDEO entry per contestant only.
The winner of the competition will be receiving the following:
- “Best Magician 2016” trophy, “People Choice Magician 2016”
- Your chance to perform at CNE on with A1 Radio at Canada Day.
- Gift(s) from our main sponsor(s).
Look forward meeting you guys, See you all at there!!
Labels:
# contests,
Jeff Pinsky,
Lee Asher,
Magic Mike Segal
08 March 2016
Greg Frewin's Imagine Tour
Be sure to check the Imagine Tour website often for updates and additions.
From the Imagine Tour website:
From the Imagine Tour website:
BELLEVILLE
TUESDAY MARCH 22, 2016
MARANATHA AUDITORIUM
100 College St W, Belleville
OSHAWA
WEDNESDAY MARCH 23, 2016
EASTDALE COLLEGIATE AUDITORIUM265 Harmony Rd N, Oshawa
BRANTFORD
WEDNESDAY APRIL 20, 2016
SANDERSON CENTRE88 Dalhousie St, Brantford
OWEN SOUND
THURSDAY APRIL 21, 2016
O.S.C.V.I1550 8TH St E, Owen Sound
SIMCOE
FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016
SIMCOE COMPOSITE SCHOOL40 Wilson Ave, Simcoe
Read more and buy tickets.
Labels:
_Belleville,
_Brantford,
_Oshawa,
_Owen Sound,
_Simcoe,
-ON,
+Canada,
Greg Frewin
07 March 2016
Monday musings: Search engine optimization
It's time consuming to become a master of manipulation. I get that. On top of that you're trying to grow your business. One of your tactics, you're told, should be harnessing the power of your website through search engine optimization.
"Search engine optimization" as defined by Wikipedia:
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine's unpaid results—often referred to as "natural," "organic," or "earned" results. In general, the earlier (or higher ranked on the search results page), and more frequently a site appears in the search results list, the more visitors it will receive from the search engine's users.
But you find the tubes and gears and pulleys of the interwebs overwhelming. So you decide to outsource this task to people who know it better than you. This makes perfect sense.
What do you really know about these people who promise you high search ranking for your money? Does it matter?
Yes. Yes it does matter.
When you hand over the promotion of your internet identity to the lowest bidder, some interesting things can and do happen. The people doing the work may be located in a different country and may not have a great handle on the English language. The people doing the work may use the strategy of comment spamming any semi-related website they can find.
Why should this matter to you?
How do you think it reflects on you if the people who are promoting you uses spammy language? It's a red flag for many people, who view paid comments as meaningless. (If you're a believer that any publicity is good publicity, then maybe it doesn't matter.)
As for comment spamming to impact SEO, not only does it not work, it can work against you. It doesn't work for one or more of the following reasons: a) the comment section of many websites are coded so as to not pass on "Google juice," b) comments are sometimes left on untended sites which don't have high PageRank, and c) when comments are left on actively managed sites like this one, the spam comments are deleted within 24 hours (you've paid good money for something that gets permanently deleted in less than a day!!).
Worse than that, some SEO organizations will target blogs of potential clients, and leave comment spam representing themselves as you and your brand. These can hurt both you and your SEO in the long term.
When I get those types of spam comments, it's annoying to be sure -- and I remember who you are because you're wasting your money and my time every time I have to cleanup the spammy mess you paid for. However, when potential clients get those kinds of spammy comments, they often black list you and share your name around with all of their contacts as people to avoid. It happens. I've seen it. It's not pretty.
What should you be doing?
You know your business best. You know your budget. I can only suggest to you that you do a quick search for "things you should ask before hiring seo company," and that you remember you pay for what you get.
06 March 2016
Calgary: The Amazing Magic Show - WowFest 2016
From the Calgary Sun:
From The Amazing Magic Show - WowFest 2016 Facebook event:
A Calgary magician hopes to help make some families' money woes disappear with a budget-conscious show.
With thousands of Calgarians experiencing layoffs, Ryan Pilling knows there's little discretionary cash for activities and outings. So the producer of the WowFest Magic Arts Festival is waiving the regular $15 ticket for its main event and letting families decide what they can afford, with a minimum of $5.
"I've always wanted to make it affordable. It's not a hoity-toity artsy attitude," said Pilling. "As a festival producer, it's important to get more people out. This has always been a labour of love for me and the magicians involved."
Read more.
From The Amazing Magic Show - WowFest 2016 Facebook event:
8 March
WowFest bring The Amazing Magic Show to the Cardel Theatre in Quarry Park.
Two Shows! 5:30 PM and 7 PM
This all ages show presents mystery, comedy, and magic in a jam-packed hour of entertainment that is enjoyable for all ages. Amazing skill, jaw-dropping magic that will fool even the eagle-eyed audience members, and lots of fun make it a great, and affordable evening out.
For the past three years, WowFest has been hosting sold-out shows like this at the reasonable ticket price of $15 dollars. With tough times for some Calgary families, we wanted to make sure nobody misses out. You can pick your own price for the tickets this year. While we think the show is well worth $15, we want you to bring the whole family at what you can afford.
Please make some magic for more families by bringing a donation for the Calgary Food Bank. A donation drop box is located in the lobby.
We look forward to seeing you at the show!
Read more and buy tickets.
Labels:
_Calgary,
-AB,
+Canada,
Ryan Pilling
05 March 2016
Toronto: Free magic club
From the Browser's Den of Magic Facebook page:
This Saturday March 5 is our monthly (free) Magic Club at Browser's Den. All welcome to attend. Club meets from 2:30pm until about 5:30pm.
Take care-Jeff & The Browser's Den Team.
Labels:
_Toronto,
-ON,
+Canada,
~Browser's Den
04 March 2016
Vancouver: Magique
From Oslen's blog:
From Oslen's Twitter feed:
April 21-23
Two more months to go and the all new illusion show MAGIQUE will be onstage at the Metro Theatre. We are proud to announce that our choreographer Taryn Elle direct from Las Vegas will be joining us once again in choreographing & directing this new illusion show. Get your tickets now before they disappear!
Read more and buy tickets.
From Oslen's Twitter feed:
We are proud to announce that Taryn Elle direct from Vegas will be joining us in choreographing the show MAGIQUE. pic.twitter.com/r80LlQie4d— Oslen (@Oslenworld) February 21, 2016
Labels:
_Vancouver,
-BC,
+Canada,
Oslen
03 March 2016
Thank you to our March 2016 Friends!
Thank you to John Smithman, John Harrison, Richard Lyn and Joan Caesar for being Friends of Canada's Magic!
It's good to have friends like you.
It's good to have friends like you.
Labels:
# administrative
Thank you to our March 2016 sponsors!
Thank you to our sponsors for their generous support.
This site would not be possible without their backing.
We're grateful to have the support of:
For more information about purchasing Sponsored Posts or about our Platinum, Gold, or Silver level sponsorships, please visit our Sponsorship page.
Or you can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year!
Donations of any size are always welcome.
This site would not be possible without their backing.
We're grateful to have the support of:
- Clive Court - The Fun-da-Mentalist,
- Evelyn & Phil Matlin, owners of Perfect Magic and
- Jeff Pinsky, owner of The Browser's Den of Magic
For more information about purchasing Sponsored Posts or about our Platinum, Gold, or Silver level sponsorships, please visit our Sponsorship page.
Or you can Be Our Friend for only $20 per year!
Donations of any size are always welcome.
Labels:
# administrative
02 March 2016
Top 5 posts in February 2016
Here are the most viewed posts at Canada's Magic this month:
and the most viewed post this month ...
5. Get your Coop on! - You know you wanna ... get yourself Coop'd!
4. David Ben raised over $220,000 for #nohairselfie ! - Well done David et al!
3. Magicana presents: The oldest trick in the book - A wonderful look at a fabulous classic of magic.
2. April 2nd: A magical day - Did you know that April 2nd was such a meaningful day?
and the most viewed post this month ...
1. Toronto: Shane Cobalt Lecture - Who's going? Sounds like it's going to be a great night!
Labels:
# meta
01 March 2016
Rounding the Western rings in March 2016
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
City | Club | Event(s) |
Calgary, AB | Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle, Les Brocklesby Ring) | - Junior club meeting. - TBA |
Edmonton, AB | Edmonton Magic Club | - Kainoa Harbottle lecture. |
Winnipeg, MB | The Magic Club of Winnipeg | - Kainoa Harbottle lecture. - A Family Day of Magic |
Fraser Valley, BC | IBM Ring 387 (Fraser Valley Magic Circle, Celeste Evans Ring) | - Kainoa Harbottle lecture. -Third Monday Magic |
Vancouver, BC | Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) | - TBA |
Vancouver, BC | SAM 95 (Carl Hemeon Assembly) | - TBA |
Victoria, BC | Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle) | - TBA |
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
Labels:
_Calgary,
_Edmonton,
_Fraser Valley,
_Vancouver,
_Victoria,
_Winnipeg,
-AB,
-BC,
-MB,
'Ring 387,
'Ring 66,
'Ring 92,
'SAM 95,
# lecture,
# rounding,
Kainoa Harbottle
Rounding the Central rings in March 2016
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
Montreal, QC | Ring 62 (20th Century Ring) | - Meetup. |
Hamilton, ON | Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club) | - TBA |
London, ON | Ring 265 (London Magician's Guild) | - Round robin. |
Kitchener, ON | Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle) | - TBA - Junior members: Learn the basics for Ventriloquism |
Ottawa, ON | Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians) | - Stand-up Magic
- Initiation Shows
|
Ottawa, ON | Ottawa / Gatineau magicians | - TBA |
Toronto, ON | Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club) | - Shane Cobalt lecture. |
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
Rounding the Eastern rings in March 2016
Does anybody have current information to share about the Magic Circle of St. John?
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.
Halifax, NS | Ring 316 (Conjourer's Court) | - Visit their Facebook page. |
St. John, NB | Magic Circle of St. John | - TBA |
Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.
27 February 2016
Toronto: David Williamson at Browser's Bash 2016
From the Browser's Den of Magic Twitter feed:
A note to subscribers: the content of this post is embedded from another website and is not available to preview. To view the content of the post, please visit http://CanadasMagic.blogspot.com. Some of the embedded code may be visible in this notification.
MAJOR NEWS - David Williamson will be joining us at this year's #BrowsersMagicBash Will you? https://t.co/hF9ielk0LF pic.twitter.com/B6AwwUleQ8— The Browser's Den (@theBrowsersDen) 23 February 2016
Labels:
_Toronto,
-ON,
+Canada,
~Browser's Den,
David Williamson
26 February 2016
New names for CAMaraderie 2016
From Jean-Luc Rivard:
From the Festival de magie de Québec Facebook page:
New line up additons:
- Philippe Theriault
- Marc Trudel
- Michael Dardant
- Montreal Trio
From the Festival de magie de Québec Facebook page:
Posted by Festival de magie de Québec on Saturday, 20 February 2016
Labels:
_Quebec City,
-QC,
+Canada,
~CAM,
Marc Trudel,
Michael Dardant,
Montreal Trio,
Philippe Theriault
25 February 2016
Toronto: Shane Cobalt Lecture
March 3rd
Have you ever attended a magic convention or general get-together and felt a touch out of place?
In this lecture, Shane Cobalt will be exploring the rarely talked about subject of perspective in magic. Using personal anecdotes, magical demonstrations, and some really crazy stories, you will learn how you can break through the web of secrecy to get closer to your personal magic goals.
You can expect to hear about:
-What YOU Bring to the Table!
-What is Good Enough?
-To Gaff or Not to Gaff... and the miracles that go with it!
-Is It Mine? And other questions on crediting.
The lecture will be interactive in nature. Attendees will have the opportunity to dictate much of the material performed during the lecture. Aside from performing effects from his personal repertoire, Shane will also have a very limited number of handcrafted items for sale.
There will be an open Q and A following the lecture.
Shane Cobalt started his journey in magic at The Browser's Den of Magic in Toronto, Canada. After years of reading, practicing, and performing, Shane was the 3rd recipient of The Len Cooper Memorial Award. Following this he was one of the first recipients of the Tony Eng Youth Fund.
Read more.
24 February 2016
Montreal: Jay Sankey lecture
From the Montreal Magic Jam:
Monday March 14
Teacher, performer, consultant, and author, Jay Sankey is widely considered to be one of the most original thinkers and most prolific magic creators on the planet. Jay has created over 700 original magic effects. And he’s coming home. He’s also consulted for tons of magicians from David Copperield to David Blaine, and Max Maven called him ““one of the top creators of innovative close-up magic.”
After a long time away from Montreal, he’s finally back. The lecture will be pure unadulterated fun as only Sankey can deliver. There will be a mix of everything from close-up, stand-up, and mentalism. He’ll perform and teach a few of his classics as well as some diabolical new creations. There will be something for EVERYONE, and almost everything he’s teaching will require only the most basic sleight-of-hand. You don’t want to miss the force that is Jay Sankey.
Read more and buy tickets.
Labels:
_Montreal,
-QC,
# lecture,
+Canada,
Jay Sankey
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