James Jordan interview at Fast Forward Weekly

James Jordan talks about The Garden Variety Show, discusses magical mishaps and answers the question "Now that carnivals aren’t as popular, what does the future hold for magicians?" in the Fast Forward Weekly article "James Jordan, Magician and host of The Garden Variety Show."



[h/t: @GVS_varietyshow]

When was the last time you squeezed your lemons?

From Freshly Squeezed:

Needing to know your lemons is not an illusion.
 
International Grand Illusionist Ryan Joyce has sent a personal message to remind everyone just how important it is to squeeze your lemons! Knowing if something feels different could just save your life!

Read more to find out how much money has been raised by Ryan for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

[h/t: @RyanJoyceMagic]

Gwyn Auger mention on StreetMagic.info

Magician's assistant Gwyn Auger has a nice mention on StreetMagic.info in an article titled "Gwyn Auger - Magic Assistant, Blogger, and Then Some..."

CAM/PCAM Combined Convention: more talent revealed

A few new performers names are listed at MagicianConvention.com, including: Bizzaro, stage entertainers Trevor and Lorena as well as Richard Forget, comedy imaginator Eric Buss and escape artists Sherry and Krall will be appearing in this year's CAM and PCAM combined convention. 

For more information about the convention, please visit MagicianConvention.com

Sorcerers Safari at Browser’s Den

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

On Saturday May 7 at ‘Browser’s Den of Magic’  from 1:30pm until 4:00pm Magic Mike and Jen Segal of the Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp will be hosting an Open House for their 2011 Camp Season. Joining  Mike and Jen will be other camp staff and past campers to answer any questions you may have about the camp. 

Read more.

Murray's Trick and Joke Shop: poetry-themed window displays

From Murray's Trick & Joke Shop:

... Victoria's Poet Laureate, Linda Rogers, the DVBA, and over 30 downtown businesses have teamed up to bring National Poetry Month to downtown Victoria.  ...

... Murray's Trick & Joke Shop teamed up with poet (and busy Victoria entertainer) Carolyn Sadowska and her poem "A Magician's Magic".  Over 30 local businesses were involved and when the judging was finished ...

Read more to find out how they did!

Links for 25-Apr-2011

• 106 years ago, yesterday, Sid Lorraine was born
• Ryan Joyce at the at the CBCF Volunteer Awards Gala [h/t: @RyanJoyceMagic] 
• Shawn Farquhar's Linking Coat Hangers (Mike Caveney) for sale on eBay [h/t: @magiChampion]
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube (I haven't been able to keep up with viewing, but here are links to last week's videos):
  107. World's most awkward Card Trick - Day 107 of 365
  108. The Paper Bag - DAY 108 of 365
  109. Perfect Nail Bend - DAY 109 of 365
  110. Out of This World Card Trick - Day 110
  111. Latex Penetration - Day 111 of 365
  112. I Don't Have Your Lighter - Day 112 of 365
  113. Elastic up the Nose!! - Day 113 of 365
  114. Heart of a Child - Day 114 of 365

Barrie: Greg Frewin at Georgian College Theatre

From Simcoe.com:

BARRIE - Greg Frewin, The International Grand Champion of Magic takes over the Georgian College Theatre on April 28 for two performances, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Las Vegas-style review features magic and appearances by rare tigers.

This is a fundraiser for Camp Maple Leaf, a year-round camp for military families with children. Call 1-877-431-0685.

[h/t: @FrewinTheatre]

Magic And The Brain: The Art and Science of Illusion

From the UCLA website:

The Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and The Academy of Magical Arts (Magic Castle) present Magic And The Brain: The Art and Science of Illusion Thursday, April 28, 2011, 6:00 P.M. at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.

Read more.

According to Theory 11, speakers include: James Randi, Bill Kalush, Mac King and Apollo Robbins.


[h/t: @theory11]

London Magician's Guild new President

Avast me hearties,This just in. I've Just been elected President of the #London Magician's Guild! The fools, I'll destroy them all!less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyCaptain Corbin
AmazingCorbin

[h/t: @petermennie]

Browser's Den open Good Friday

From the Browser's Den of Magic:

Browser’s Den will be open on Good Friday, April 22 from 10am until 4pm. Wishing all of our friends a very Happy Easter.

Sherwood Park News: Author shortlisted for Alberta literary award

From the Sherwood Park News:

... Sheldon Casavant's first book, Morton the Magician and His Magnificent Magic Show, has been shortlisted for the Alberta Literary Awards.

"It's been great just to have that feeling that it's at that level of professionalism and respect within the industry, because I'm coming at it as being a magician as a profession," Casavant said.

Read more.

Article about 'Morton the Magician' in today's Sherwood Park News:... http://fb.me/PqH4ZRkdless than a minute ago via Facebook Favorite Retweet ReplySheldon Casavant
SheldonCasavant

Links for 17-Apr-2011

• Shane's review of Shawn Farquhar's MatriXpress
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube (I haven't been able to keep up with viewing, but here are links to last week's videos):
  100. Nail in the face @ Home Depot - Day 100 of 365
  101. Wicked Card Trick Tutorial - Day 101 of 365
  102. 3am Magic Jam - Day 102 of 365
  103. My Grandma and her Birds - Day 103 of 365
  104. Mouth to Mouth Card Trick - Day 104 of 365   
  105. Magic with Ahmed the Pizza Man - Day 105 of 365
  106. Imaginary Trip (Mentalism) - Day 106 of 365

Miami: Jay Sankey

From Magic in Miami:

Jay Sankey April 28, 2011 7:30 P.M.
South Miami / Coral Gables Elks Lodge
6304 S.W. 78 Street,  Miami, Florida

Do you live in the Miami area? I'm lecturing on April 28/ 7:30 @ Elks Lodge/6304 SW 78 Street. Hope to see you there. It's gonna be FUN.less than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyJay Sankey
jay_sankey

Mandrake the Magician in The Globe and Mail

We'd previously mentioned the 100th anniversary of the birth of man who became Mandrake the Magician.

The Globe and Mail published a tribute earlier last week:

Mandrake sawed women in half, chopped off heads in a stage guillotine, caused a menagerie of rabbits and pigeons to vanish. He read minds and pickpocketed wallets. For a 1949 newsreel, he escaped after being restrained by leg irons and handcuffs, tied by ropes, and nailed inside a packing crate – while under water.

One of his most spectacular illusions involved being tied up and imprisoned inside a large bag. Moments later, he emerges – having swapped his black tie and tails for a white Palm Beach suit, insouciantly puffing on a cigarette.

Read more.

[h/t:  @AboutMagicians via @JaySankey]

Montréal: Docc Hilford

Docc Hilford will be lecturing in Montréal Thursday, April 21 at 7 PM to 11 PM.

Contact Martin Carli for more information.  (MagicInfo.ca has an e-mail address for Martin.)



[h/t: MagicInfo.ca]

Msgr. Vincent Foy: "A Cut Above"

From Sharing Wonder:

 Magicana is delighted to announce the release of our latest publication, "A Cut Above."

"A Cut Above" is a joyful exploration of one-handed cuts created or documented by Msgr. Vincent Foy, a pioneer of the modern movement of card flourishes. His contributions on this subject that appeared initially in The Linking Ring and in Bertram on Sleight of Hand, inspired a new generation of finger-flingers.

Msgr. Foy, who is 95-years young, revisits his notes to give us 100 one-handed glorious cuts, most of his own invention. Read more.

Toronto: Browser's Den is moving!

Edited June 23rd to include a link to their new location.

From the Browser's Den website:

Browser's Den of Magic has been serving magicians both pro and hobbyist since 1975. For twenty-six of the thirty-six years that we have been in business, Bathurst and Eglinton has been both our home and the home to you our dear customers. Many special memories have been made for sure at this location.

The owners of the plaza have recently informed us that they plan to redevelop. ... Read more.

Read this post from June 15 for details about the goodbye moving party and their new location.

Calgary: Balloon workshop

TheMagicStudio.ca is hosting beginner, intermediate and advanced ballon twisting workshops on April 30, 2011.  Visit their website for more information.



[h/t: @magicassistant]

Peter Mennie on Rogers Daytime

Peter Mennie posted video of his appearance on Rogers' Daytime TV yesterday.  Go over to his Facebook page to watch.

You can watch another part of the TV appearance on YouTube:
 

100 years ago

One hundred years ago today, Leon Giglio was born.  He later changed his name to Leon Mandrake.  You may be familiar with his stage name, Mandrake the Magician.

From leaderpost.com:

But Mandrake's legacy lives on in other ways as well. Some of his magic acts can still be enjoyed today on YouTube, and Roberston Davies even modelled the character Magnus Eisengrim from his book World of Wonders on him. Mandrake the Magician has also appeared in radio shows, television series, plays, musicals and movies (including a cameo in The Beatles' Yellow Submarine). Hayden Christensen, another B.C. performer (and, given that he is most famous for playing a Jedi, someone who should know a thing or two about gesturing hypnotically), is said to currently be in talks to star in a new Mandrake movie.

But his real legacy is continuing to inspire performers. Coquitlam resident Shawn Farquhar is one of them.

Read more including a nice quote from Shawn.

Happy 100th Birthday Leon Mandrake ... still alive in my memories.... http://fb.me/I6JHC71Sless than a minute ago via Facebook Favorite Retweet ReplyShawn Farquhar
magiChampion

Shawn Farquhar: House of Babcock Magic Collection for sale

Shawn Farquhar's House of Babcock Magic Collection is for sale on eBay.

I have a collection of magic for sale on eBay ... http://bit.ly/e7bIXM http://fb.me/V7hfTa2Cless than a minute ago via Facebook Favorite Retweet ReplyShawn Farquhar
magiChampion

Advance tickets: Magic at Luminato 2011

From Sharing Wonder:

From April 11 to 15, we invite you to purchase your tickets to 2011 Luminato events before they go on sale to the general public. Buy your tickets today, and receive early access to tickets for the extraordinary lineup of theatre, dance, music, literature, magic and other events.

Visit Sharing Wonder to learn more about the shows, obtain the advance ticket code and to purchase tickets.

St. Mary's ON: Peter Mennie's Mind Games

From  the Black Angus of St. Mary's website:

Friday April 15th, 2011 Mind Games Show starts at 8:30 – 10:30 Show $20.00 Dinner order off of the menu or the $20.00 3 course meal package.

Have a look at the PDF poster to learn more about Peter Mennie's show.

Links for 10-Apr-2011

• TODAY! Browser's Den magic auction
   
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube (I haven't been able to keep up with viewing, but here are links to last week's videos):
  90. Floating Fork Tutorial - Day 90 of 365
  91. April Fools - Day 91 of 365
  92. The Vanishing Coins - Day 92 of 365
  93. Incredible 4 Ace Trick in a Camaro - Day 93 of 365
  94. *NOT FOR CHILDREN (Julies Clothes Disappear) - DAY 94 of 365
  95. The Toad and the Princess' Clothes - DAY 95 of 365
  96. Origami Money - Day 96 of 365
  97. Floating Lego Magic wand! - Day 97 of 365
  98. Tha Amazing Beard Trick - Day 98 of 365
  99. One handed Card Trick Live on Stage - Day 99 of 365

Murray Hatfield and Teresa at MCW in Chicago

Murry Hatfield and Teresa will be headlining the Magic Collectors Weekend (MCW) in Chicago next month.  From the Magicol website:

The show will be hosted by David Charvet and, in addition to being the Master of Ceremonies, David will perform an interlude with Rag Pictures, the subject of his presentation the day before. Also on the bill, will be multiple Magic Castle Award Winner John Carney, presenting some of the classics of parlor prestidigitation with that light and playful touch for which he is famous. Headlining the show will be Murray Hatfield and Teresa, making their MCW and Chicago debut. 

Read more about their MCW debut.

To learn more about the MCW or to register, please visit the Magicol website.

Morton the Magician and his Magnificent Magic Show

From the Edmonton Journal:

... local writer Sheldon Casavant is vying for the Children’s Literature prize for Morton the Magician and his Magnificent Magic Show.

Read more.

Good luck Sheldon!

EXCITING NEWS: 'Morton the Magician' has been shortlisted for an AB Literary Award in Children's Literature!... http://fb.me/ZxwnsAZuless than a minute ago via Facebook Favorite Retweet ReplySheldon Casavant
SheldonCasavant

London: Keith Brown's "Feats of Mystery"

From Keith's blog:

Here are the showtimes for Feats of Mystery this summer for the London Fringe Festival.

Friday June 17                 5:00pm
Saturday June 18              8:30pm
Sunday June 19                5:00pm
Wednesday June 22          7:30pm
Friday June 24                11:00pm
Saturday June 25              7:30pm

Location: The Arts Project.

David Acer: "Never iron flash paper."

"A Superb Tip from David Acer. Comedian, Magician, TV Star, Author…." was posted by Perfect Magic today.  Along with some remembrances and photos of times gone by, David responds to the questions:

"Q: What was the first trick that made you think this is what you want to do?"

and

"Q: What advice would you give aspiring magicians?"

Go read David's answers now!

--
Editor's note:

My most indelible memory of David has to at CAMaraderie in 2001, where he performed the Cups and Balls with garbage bins and soccer balls as depicted below:

CAM/PCAM Combined Convention: Close-up artists announced

Close-up entertainers Jon Allen and Diamond Jim Tyler have been announced as appearing in this year's CAM and PCAM combined convention. 

For more information about the convention, please visit MagicianConvention.com



[h/t: CAM]

Remembering the Society of Canadian Magicians

Do you remember the Society of Canadian Magicians (SCM)?  If so, go on over the the Facebook page David Donoghue has set up for remembering the SCM.  There is a dearth of information on the internet about the SCM.  MagicPedia has only two lines on the organization.

Help document the history of the organization by contributing to the discussions or adding to the collection of online photos.


[h/t: John Pellatt]

Colombini Farewell Tour

[Edited May 24 to add Toronto date.]

From WildColumbini.com:

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE COLOMBINI'S DURING WHAT WILL BE THERE FAREWELL TOUR OF THE CONTINENTAL US AND CANADA. After careful thought and deliberation we have decided that this will be our final lecture tour of the US and Canada.

Canadian dates include:

• Vancouver, May 12th
• Victoria, May 13th
• Edmonton, May 14th
• Toronto, June 1st
• Montréal,  June 5th

For more information, visit Wild Columbini Magic.


[h/t: MagicInfo.ca]

CBC: Joan Caesar and Julie Eng talk about women in magic

As a follow-up to the previous post "CBC: The Amazing and Astounding Invisible Women of Magic", John Pellatt pointed me to this Mary Ito interview of Joan Caesar and Julie Eng on the CBC program "Fresh Air" back on October 31st, 2009. 

Listen to Joan and Julie talk about magic, the Canadian Association of Magicians and Magicana.

CBC: The Amazing and Astounding Invisible Women of Magic

[Edited April 4 to add link to interview with Joan and Julie.]

Prompted in part by the recent death of Dorothy Young (Houdini’s Stage Assistant), today CBC Radio One reran "The Amazing and Astounding Invisible Women of Magic" a documentary by Frank Faulk.  You can listen to it from the The Sunday Edition website (it starts at about the 22 minute mark).

Listen to Mary Ito interview of Joan Caesar and Julie Eng on the CBC program "Fresh Air" back on October 31st, 2009.   Perfect Magic has a post on women magicians at Magie Montréal.

Recent articles on the subject of women in magic from:

• Slate: "The Next Queen of Magic -- Does magic need more female performers to be cool again?"
• Miller-McCune: "Why Have Women Magicians Vanished?"
• About.com: "Women in Magic - Interview With Krystyn Lambert", "Why Are There So Few Female Magicians - Interview With Suzanne", "Women in Magic: Margarette Le Claire","Women in Magic - Interview With Farrah Siegel"
• About.com: "Documentary: Women in Boxes", "Have Women Magicians Vanished?"
• About.com: "Readers Respond: Why Are There So Few Female Magicians?", "Article Asks: Does Magic Need Females to Be Cool Again?", "Readers Respond: Does Magic Need Females?"

[h/t: John Pellatt]

Doc Eason: June lectures

Doc Eason will be lecturing in Canada this spring.

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

• Ring 183 (Victoria Magic Circle) on June 6th
• Ring 28 (Edmonton Magic Guild) on June 7th [contact e-mal can be found at magicinfo.ca]
• Ring 66 (Calgary Magic Circle) on June 8th
• The Magic Club of Winnipeg on June 9th
• Ring 92 (Vancouver Magic Circle) on June 10th

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.

April Fooled

I only saw one major Canadian magic prank yesterday.  The Vanishing Rabbit posted this on their website and Facebook page:

After very long negotiations, I would like to annouce that The Vanishing Rabbit Magic Shop has SOLD to a private Magic Shop Chain out of the United States. Although the shop will stay open and the Name will change, I will remain as a Manager and consultant, I would like to thank all who have supported my Magic Shop business the last 10 years and hope that you will remain customers of ours.

While not Canadian, this prank is certainly worth a mention!  From The Magic Newswire this post from The Magic Circle:

The Magic Circle To Mount Legal Challenge 

The Magic Circle is considering mounting a legal challenge to proposals which would see the composition of packs of playing cards dramatically altered from April 2012.

The proposals announced under European Union Directive 27745 / 3665 include the removal of the twelve Jacks, Queens and Kings from every pack of cards manufactured within the EU to reflect modern Republic Member States. A new suit of 'Stars' is to be introduced alongside the traditional Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades making the total number of cards exactly 50 in the new 'metric' packs.

Spokesman for The Magic Circle states "We are very concerned by these new rules. We very much value our Royal connections and cannot accept such a scandalous interference from the EU. The standard pack of 52 cards embodies a long legacy of cultural and magical history.”

A spokesman continues: “Frankly many of our Members are hoping to make these new rules disappear!"

Read the original post (complete with image of the new deck) here.
 

What April Fool's day pranks did I miss?

Montréal: May 1st, 2011 - Magic Day

From the Magie Spectram website:

Sunday May 1st 2011 from 12:00pm to 10:00pm, Spectram Magic in association with Alain Choquette invites you to a Magic Day featuring: Jay Sankey, Jon Allen, Boris Wild and Richard Sanders.

For more information, contact Magie Spectram.

[h/t: magicinfo.ca]

Website: Magic Information Canada

If you're looking for a nationwide calendar of magic events, have a peek at Doug Cuff's website Magic Information Canada.  Events can be seen in agenda or calendar formats.  You can also follow Doug on Twitter (@magicinfo_ca).

Doug also has comprehensive lists of magic shops and clubs for you to browse.

Keep up the great work Doug!

Links for 1-Apr-2011

• Wayne Kawamoto's review of Shawn Farquhar's MatriXpress
   
• Lecleric Show episodes on YouTube (I haven't been able to keep up with viewing, but here are links to last week's videos):
  82. Making Money From Money! Day 82 of 365
  83. The Blushing Card - Day 83 of 365
  84. Poker table Magic - Day 84 of 365
  85. Three Coins & a Toilet - Day 85 of 365
  86. Transporting Cigar - Day 86 of 365
  87. One Handed Rubiks Cube- DAY 87 of 365  
  88. Linking Pull Tabs - DAY 88 of 365
  89. The Magic Castle - Day 89 of 365