Morrissey Magic: Winter clearance sale

Check out the Morrissey Magic Winter Clearance Sale!

From their Facebook page:

Winter madness is it! Due to the cold in canada were creating SHRINKAGE… on some of the prices when you come in the shop or buy online.

For complete details, visit the Morrissey Magic website.

Toronto: March magic for kids!

This March, Magicana presents Piff Paff Poof!

Poof the rabbit and his magician Julie Eng will be performing at The Lower Ossington Theatre (aka the LOT) in Toronto.  Audiences will see some amazing magic for the young at heart – colourful, visual, participatory, funny and, most of all, magical. 

In addition, Poof will also be joined by either Mark Lewis or Tricky Ricky (Richard Lyn), two of Canada's best children's entertainers.

Visit the Piff Paff Poof website for more information or to purchase your tickets!

Links for 2011-Jan-28

• Renew your subscription to Magicol!
• From Sorcerers Safari:  Casting Call for Magic Campers 
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube:
  20. Day 20 of 365 - Exclusive Lego Magic Trick! (Free iPod Touch)
  21. Day 21 of 365 - Money Magic! (Free iPod Touch)
  22. Day 22 of 365 - MY SHOW IS ON FIYAH! (Free iPod Touch)
  23. Day 23 of 365 - Magic Tennis Ball? (free iPod Touch)
  24. Sleight of hand - DAY 24 of 365
  25. Wet Magic - DAY 25 of 365
  26. Day 26 of 365 - A Magician's Day Off! (Free iPod Touch)
  27. Day 27 of 365 - The Rising Ring Trick! (Free iPod Touch!)

Greg Frewin at Magi-Fest

The 80th annual Columbus Magi-Fest started 2 hours ago!  If you're there and you're going to the Saturday night Headliner Show, leave us a comment and let us know how Greg Frewin did.

To learn more about the convention, visit their website.  Tickets for the Magi-Fest Headliner Show, which is open to the public, can be ordered here.

Welcome visitors from The Busker's Cafe and Forbidden Wisdom

Hello to everyone stopping by from The Busker's Cafe forums and the Forbidden Wisdom forums.  Whether you're here to read about Mark Lewis's memoirs, "The Lives of a Showman" or just to poke around, we welcome you and invite you to send us your feedback!

Toronto: Abracadabaret at Chalkers in March

The first Abracadabaret (formerly Friday Night Magic) of 2011 will be on Friday, March 25 at Chalkers (247 Marlee Ave, Toronto).

From the Abracadabaret website:

The magicians, mind readers and assorted lunatics of Abracadabaret descend on Chalkers for another evening of fun, magic and mystery.

Join us for fabulous food before the show and an evening of magic, mystery and mirth with:
James Alan, Alex Kazam and Jason Palter.

To purchase tickets or learn more about this event, visit the Abracadabaret website.

Welcome readers from "Ye Olde Magick Blogge"

Have a look around and send us your feedback!

Thank you to Andrew Musgrave for today's kind mention of Canada's Magic on "Ye Olde Magic Blogge."  I appreciate your kind words! 

We'll be following-up later in the year to see how Andrew's doing with his own "365 project"!

Ray Chance: cameo in JRDN’s new video "Like Magic"

Toronto magician Ray Chance  was the magic consultant for Canadian R&B Artist JRDN’s new video "Like Magic."  Ray also has a funny cameo at about the 3 minute mark!



To see more of Ray's magic, visit his YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/chancemagic which includes his appearances on Much Music, Breakfast Television and stage show clips.

Mark Lewis: "The Lives of a Showman"

Mark Lewis (magician, hypnotist,palmist and tarot card reader) has just published his memoirs, "The Lives of a Showman."

David Ben had this to say about the book:

"The Lives of a Showman is not just a self-portrait of a magician, grafter and seer, but it is also a portrait of a landscape-one spread across several countries and continents. From night clubs in London, to hustling in Blackpool, to upheaval in Ireland during "The Troubles", and the open space of the new world. We are richer for it." —David Ben

Visit Mark's website to learn more about Mark or to purchase (or read more reviews of) his book.


[h/t: Ariel Frailich]

Andrew Musgrave's project 365 and website for Vancouver magicians

Vancouver magician Andrew Musgrave is 22 days into his own "365 project" where he's committed to "do something that’s both productive and magic-related every day of the year" on his blog "Ye Olde Magic Blogge."

As part of that project, on Day 16 he created  the Magicians-In-Vancouver blog, which offers "a neutral venue for magicians in Vancouver to post a profile of themselves and link back to their website(s), Youtube videos, news articles, etc."  To have your profile published, contact Andrew directly.

[h/t: John Pellatt]

Shawn Farquhar one of "Top 5 Magic Moments On Ellen"

iTricks included this routine by Shawn Farquhar in its list of Top 5 Magic Moments On Ellen:



Also included on the iTricks list were performances by James Galea’s “Sam The Bellhop”, Criss Angel’s Halloween Mentalism, Neil Patrick Harris’ imitation of Hans Klok’s Spiker and Mike Jacobson’s impromptu frying with Invisible Deck.

Links for 2011-Jan-21

• From The Vanishing Rabbit:  Contest - Win a $200.00 GOLD Arcane deck
   
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube:
  14. Day 14 of 365 - Tongue Tied Trick! (Free Ipod Touch!)
  15. Day 15 of 365- Barrage of Magic (Free Ipod Giveaway)
  16. Day 16 of 365 - Juggling Machetes! (Free Ipod Touch)  (not suitable for children)
  17. Deck Transformation - DAY 17 of 365 (Free iPod Touch Contest!)
  18. Worlds Quickest Magic Trick - DAY 18 of 365 (Free iPod Touch Contest!)
  19.  Day 19 of 365 - Cant shuffle this deck! (Free iPod Touch)
   
• From MCA:  Magicol No. 177 follow-up

Johnny Giordmaine (1898-1974) tribute site

Edited August 12, 2011 to update the URL of the tribute site to it's new home at http://www.johngiordmaine.com

It seems fitting that on this day, the 37th anniversary of Johnny Giordmaine's passing, I learned about John Pellatt's website: "A Tribute to John Giordmaine."  Pellatt as been working on this project since 2008.  His site contains images and text from his personal collection as well as archival materials from John Giordmaine's own family.

To contribute your own memories or photos of John Giordmaine contact John Pellatt directly.  His e-mail address can be found on page 11 of his site.

To learn more about this extraordinary children's magician visit A Tribute to John Giordmaine, the Canadian Magicians' Archive or MagicPedia.


[h/t: @WorldOfMagician, CAM eZine]

Toronto: Steve Kissell lecture on January the 25th

On Tuesday Jan. 25th at 7:30PM Toronto Clown Alley is flying in from Norfolk Virginia, entertainer  extraordinaire Steve Kissell (Part Magician - Part Clown Seriously Great Entertainer).

The special lecture will be available to outside guests as well as those who are members of associate clubs such as the Brant Clown Alley & The Hat & Rabbit Club.

TCA Members ......... Free
Guests: .................. $20.
Affiliate Members: ... $10.

Where?

Herbert H. Carnegie Centennial Arena,
580 finch Ave. W. (Skater's Lounge)
between Dufferin & Bathurst (North Side)

Doors Open at 7:00
Meeting: 7:30 - 10:00

For more information contact: Toronto Clown Alley.

Toronto: Caleb Wiles is lecturing at Browser's Den

From Twitter (@theBrowsersDen):

Caleb Wiles will be lecturing  at 'Browser's Den of Magic' on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:30pm. Tickets $20.00 each.

If this interests you, please confirm details directly with the Browser's Den of Magic.

Chad Long lectures in Canada

Chad Long will be lecturing in Canada this spring.

The according to to the X-elent Lecture Series website Chad's lecture dates are:

• Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle) on March 28th
• Ring 28 (Edmonton Magic Guild) on March 29th [contact e-mal can be found at magicinfo.ca]
• Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle) on March 30th 
• The Magic Club of Winnipeg on March 31st
• Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) on April 1st

He'll be wrapping up the lecture tour with dates in the US (Seattle, Eugene and Portland).

Please confirm details about dates, times and locations by contacting each club directly.

USA: Shawn Farquhar in Ohio

In addition to previously posted lecture dates, Shawn Farquhar will also be in Ohio in March.  Shawn posted that he will be lecturing as well as participating in Miracles and Magic.

For more details visit MagicLecture.com or MagiChampion.com

Rounding the rings in February

Updated Febrary 12 to include Calgary events:  Jr. Magic Club, Michael Berends and the monthly Garden Variety Show!

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website.   

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle)	- Martin Lewis - Jr. Magic Club - Michael Berends - Garden Variety Show
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- Auction Night
London, ON	London Magician's Guild	- Magic on a dime!
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- Annual DVD magic night
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- Pub night
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Hat and Rabbit Club)	- Anthony Lindan
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- Martin Lewis - Executive Meeting - Installation Banquet
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- n/a

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Links for 2011-Jan-14

• If this is true, will it boost bookings for Mentalism acts?
  From CTV.ca on Jan 8:  Has a U.S. psychologist uncovered proof of ESP?
   
• Small changes hidden by a larger motion.  [h/t:  MagicCon]
   
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube:
  7.  Justin Bieber is Magic - DAY 7 of 365
  8.  Epic NEOCUBE Stunt!! - Day 8 of 365 (Ipod touch giveaway!) (not suitable for children)
  9.  Magic with Candy - Day 9 of 365 (Free Ipod touch) (not suitable for children)
  10. My Biggest Fear! - Day 10 of 365 (Free Ipod touch)  (now with live snake!)
  11.  How to Double Your Money! - Day 11 of 365 (Free Ipod touch)
  12.  Day 12 of 365 - Match Trick and Tutorial! (Free Ipod Touch)
  13.  Day 13 of 365 - Iphone in Balloon Trick! (Free Ipod Touch!)
  
    
• Discussion forum for Magic in Western Canada at The Vanishing Rabbit Magic Lounge [h/t: VanishingRabbit]
• From Browser's Den:  Yes we buy Used Magic from our customers.

Toronto: Second helping of "A Slice of Magic"

On March the 14th, enjoy a night of magic, prizes and  food at "A 2nd Slice of Magic" at Boston Pizza (40 Eglinton Ave. E, (Yonge & Eglinton) Toronto).

Performers include:

• CHRIS WESTFALL- comedy magic
• JEFF HINCHLIFFE- card expert & magician
• SHAWNATHAN - mentalist

Please visit PickAnyCard.com for more details about this event.

'Magic really does exist'

From WindsorStar.com:

'Magic really does exist'
Magician puts smiles on sick children's faces
By Frances Willick, Windsor Star January 3, 2011

Read about how magician Ron Gudel visits sick children "every Monday to provide a bit of relief from their pain, boredom and anxiety."

"Almost invariably, the kids respond to the magic tricks with wide eyes, smiles, laughter or rapt attention."

"Though he's skilled at mystifying his audiences with illusions, Gudel says that's not where the real magic lies. "Magic really does exist. And it's not in the tricks nor the sleight of hand, or even in the sleeves, but more in the look of wonder and the smiles on these kids' faces."

Read the full article at WindsorStar.com

[h/t: iTricks.com] 

Kreskin’s in Canada next month

From AmazingKreskin.com:

• Feb 13th:  The Studio at Hamilton Place, Hamilton, ON
• Feb 15th:  Aeolian Performing Arts Center, London, ON
• Feb. 18th: Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion, Haliburton, ON

For details about the events, please contact the venues directly.

James Biss starts new one year run at Dave and Buster's

Join James Biss at Dave & Buster's Toronto (Concord) location THIS Saturday night for the start of his new one year run there, every Saturday night. Doors open by 9:30pm. James is on at 10pm.

Please confirm details by contacting James.

Murray Hatfield's US dates

Murry Hatfield and Teresa will be in California at the end of March, including 7 days at the Magic Castle.

April, May and June will bring them back to beautiful British Columbia.

For more information visit MurrayHatfield.com

Shawn Farquhar at Louisiana Magic Weekend 2011

Shawn Farquhar is confirmed for Louisiana Magic Weekend 2011 March 18-19, 2011.

For more information about the convention, or to register, visit Louisiana Magic Weekend 2011.

Shawn will also be lecturing in Arizona (February), Louisiana (March), Florida (March) and touring France in May and June.  For details visit MagicLecture.com

Review: Magic 'n' Miracles

We'd previously posted about "Murray Hatfield and Teresa: Magic 'n Miracles tour."

Today, Murray Hatfield's Magic 'n Miracles was reviewed by Tom Zillich in Surrey Now.

From 'Miracles' happen with Vegas-level magic show:

Murray Hatfield is loving the current touring version of the Illusions: Magic 'n' Miracles production that hits the Bell Performing Arts Centre stage three times on Saturday, Jan. 8.

"It's proving to be one of the strongest shows we've ever done," he told the Now.

also:

Over the past couple of decades, the touring Miracles show has raised an impressive $10 million for charity, notably the Firefighters Burn Fund.

On this tour, which began in Ontario in November, Hatfield is joined by "three of the strongest guest acts ever." Featured are Danny Cole, an award-winning magician who fuses original magic with contemporary music, and Charlie Frye and Company, billed by Hatfield as "the most amazing, energetic and frantic juggling act in the world." Also in the spotlight is B.C.'s own Shawn Farquhar, the first Canadian to win a "grand prix" at the world championship of magic, sponsored by the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM).

Read the full review at TheNowNewspaper.com

Links for 2011-Jan-07

• Magic Lessons at Browser's Den
• Magic Club (12yo +) at Browser's Den
     
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube:
  1. Pen Manipulation DAY 1 of 365 (free iPod giveaway),
  2. Disappearing Cookie DAY 2 of 365 (free iPod giveaway),
  3. Eric eats Glass (lightbulb) DAY 3 of 365 (not suitable for children)
  4. Pandas Getting it on DAY 4 of 365
  5. Exploding LEGO Piece - DAY 5 of 365
  6. 3am Cigarette Magic - DAY 6 of 365 (free iPod giveaway)
     
• Starting Friday save 15% on Jay Sankey's "'22 Blows to the Head' mentalism DVD  and get 'Time Sensitive' effect for FREE (reg $20!) (offer ends in 7 days)  Confirm details with Jay.

Additional dates for Martin Lewis Canadian lectures in 2011

Tip of the hat to Lee Asher for letting me know that there are more Martin Lewis lecture dates than the ones I'd previously posted.

The according to to the X-elent Lecture Series website Martin's lecture dates are:

• Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle) on January 31st
• Ring 28 (Edmonton Magic Guild) on February 1st [contact e-mal can be found at magicinfo.ca]
• Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle) on Febrary 2rd
• The Magic Club of Winnipeg on Feb 3rd
• Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) on February 4th

Note that the Calgary date on the X-elent Lecture Series website, Martin's lecture dates conflict with that on the Ring 66 site. 

Please confirm details about dates, times and locations by contacting each club. 

Browser's Den: CHAD ZHOU

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

The new year is starting off at 'Browser's Den' with a Special Guest at our Magic Club Meeting this Saturday, January 8. MR. CHAD ZHOU will be coming to our Magic Club to perform and teach some of his favourite coin and card material. He will also be sharing some ideas that he is working on for discussion. When I (Old Jeff) first met Chad some five years ago Chad showed me his 'Any Card at Any Number' which fooled me and many others in the shop; and fooled me badly. In fact it was pretty much only Jeff Hinchliffe who at that time had an idea of the method that Chad used.

We would like to publicly thank Chad for coming and being our Special Guest; especially so since he lives quite a distance from the shop. So we hope that you will attend the meeting this Saturday at the shop from 2:30pm until 4:30pm.

If this interests you, please confirm details directly with the Browser's Den of Magic.

The world of magic: Looking for a new rabbit

That's the headline of this Toronto Star article which quotes Jay Sankey, Dan Trommater, Shawn Farquhar, David Acer and Murray Hatfield discussing the decline and relevance of contemporary magic.

What do you think?  Is Jay the only one who thinks that magic as we know it is doomed?


[h/t: Shawn Farquhar]

Eric Leclerc's Project 365

Eric Leclerc, a young professional magician from Ottawa, has started "Project 365" where he plans to post a magic video on YouTube every single day for an entire year.  (Calen Morelli from the US is almost a third of the way through a similar project titled "365 Days of Magic.")

We should be in for a treat as this project unfolds.  You may remember that Eric is currently the only magician to win both the stage (2003) and close-up (2007) competitions at CAM conventions!  To follow along, subscribe to his YouTube channel, LeclericShow.

Here's day one to get you started:



In addition, Eric and his team will be giving away just over $3000 in prizes throughout the year. Prizes include a Canon digital camera, an iPod Touch, a Sony E-book reader, a portable DVD player even a Playstation 3! You'll need to watch the videos for contest details.

Support  Eric by subscribing to his channel and commenting on the videos.

Rounding the rings in January

Confirm details about dates and locations by visiting each club's website. 

City	Club	Event(s)
Calgary, AB	Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle)	- n/a
Hamilton, ON	Ring 49 (The Doug Henning Magic Wand Club)	- Clown Alley Lecture
London, ON	London Magician's Guild	- lecture: Performance tips by Peter Mennie
Kitchener, ON	Ring 235 (The Caesar Hat & Wand Magic Circle)	- n/a
Ottawa, ON	Ring 151 (Ottawa Society of Magicians)	- business - something "new"
Toronto, ON	Ring 17 (Sid Lorraine Hat and Rabbit Club)	- auction
Vancouver, BC	Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle)	- annual general meeting - initiation ceremony
Victoria, BC	Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle)	- Unopened deck competition - Teach a Trick: Justin Louie - dinner and dance - Martin Lewis lecture (dates of other Canadian lectures this year)

Please leave a comment or e-mail me about corrections or omissions.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours a year filled with awe and wonder!

Here's a beautifully choreographed card routine to start your year. "Shapes" by Shawn Farquhar.