Greg Frewin: Magicians helping animals

From the Greg Frewin Theatre Facebook post:

Join us next Wednesday for a live youtube magic show..FREE. Some of my good friends are going to help me entertain you and your family. Any donations to the SPCA will be great in helping animals in these tough times.
@jondorenbos @kevinjamesmagic @imagicianlive @charles.bach @ryanjoycemagic @spcaniagara @rickwilcox @chrisstolz @leonardobruno #magic #freeliveshow #spca ~ Greg Frewin

Women seen as worse magicians

From the March 7th article "Women seen as worse magicians despite identical skills" from Neuroscience News:

Study participants were shown close-up videos of 14 magic tricks. Only the hands and arms of the magician presenting the tricks were visible. The figure wore white gloves and long sleeves which prevented participants identifying cues about whether they were male or female.

The performer was introduced to half the participants as ‘Nathalie’ and to half the participants as a ‘Nicolas’. Those who believed they were seeing tricks performed by ‘Nathalie’ rated them more negatively, and less impressive, than those who believed they were watching tricks performed by ‘Nicolas’.

Read more.

Breaking news: Allan Slaight Relief Fund for Professional Magicians

With tremendous thanks to the Slaight Family Foundation for their generosity!


From Magicana:

And just like that, the Canadian magic industry has vanished.

In response to difficult and devastating times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for magicians who work in the gig economy, the Slaight Family Foundation has pledged to help.

Allan Slaight Relief Fund 

To contribute during these trying times, the Foundation has established the Allan Slaight Relief Fund of $150,000 to help defray cost-of-living expenses incurred by professional Canadian magicians. The Slaight Family Foundation has partnered with Magicana to administer the payment of funds to applicants who meet eligibility.

The relief fund was initiated to help with monthly costs, such as groceries, utilities, phone and Internet bills, up to a maximum of $500 per application. Because of the uncertainty of how long we must maintain strict social distancing, applicants can reapply for assistance thirty days after receiving a prior payment, until the fund is depleted.

If you are a Canadian citizen, living in Canada, working as a full-time professional in magic with at least three years of experience, you are eligible for funding assistance. We understand that many magicians are semi-professionals. We would, however, ask that applications at this time be reserved for those who rely on magic as their sole source of income.

Read more to learn about the application process.

Walter Blaney documentary series

Visit WalterZaneyBlaney.com to learn more about the Walter Blaney documentary series.  The site is curated by Timothy Drake.

Sleightly Sketchy: Ghost light

To keep you safe upon your return.





Text from day_leno_'s Instagram:

In theatre we have a tradition- whenever the theatre is empty we are always sure to leave one light on. Typically on a stand in the center of the stage, this light is known as the ghost light. There are many stories about its origin- but it’s meaning is unmistakable.

It means though the theatre is empty, WE WILL RETURN. So here’s to us. The actors, the technicians, the directors, the carpenters, the designers, the dancers, the teachers, the students, the freelancers, those on tour, those at sea, the electricians, the stitchers, the makers, the stage managers.... THE ARTISTS. Many of us have taken big hits during this virus. Financial and emotional weights have come crashing down as our entire industry is reduced to nothing but a bunch of ghost lights. But those ghost lights are temporary place holders. They are a sign. We might be down now- but our passion, our creativity, our drive is still center stage. We’ll be unplugging those ghost lights in no time. Until then- here’s a ghost light- to let the world know we will be back.